Pope Leo XIV has initiated the process for the upcoming papal conclave by appointing Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as the new dean of the College of Cardinals. This appointment not only elevates Tagle's status within the Vatican but also positions him as a potential contender for the papacy, as the role of dean carries significant influence during a papal transition.
The 69-year-old Tagle, who currently oversees the Vatican’s evangelization office, takes over the dean position from 92-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. The dean plays a pivotal role in managing the transition following a pope's passing—he presides over the funeral of the deceased pope and facilitates the initial meetings of the cardinals, who convene to discuss the church’s future before the conclave vote. If Tagle remains under the age of 80 at the time of the conclave, he will also participate in the secret election held in the Sistine Chapel to select a new pope.
Once a new pope is chosen, it is the dean's responsibility to ask the electee whether he accepts the position and what name he would like to be known by. According to the Vatican's announcement regarding his election, Pope Leo XIV ratified Tagle's appointment, which was decided by a group of six senior cardinals. Notably, Tagle was the youngest member of this group, indicating the cardinals’ intention for him to serve in this role for an extended period.
Tagle, formerly the archbishop of Manila, was previously viewed as a potential candidate in the 2025 conclave that led to the election of Pope Leo XIV. His new position as dean significantly boosts his profile as a "papabile," making him a frontrunner to potentially become Asia's first pope in a future conclave. Historical precedence supports such a rise in status; Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was dean of the College of Cardinals at the time of his election as Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.
In addition to Tagle’s elevation, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 71, who currently serves as Pope Francis's secretary of state, was also considered a possible contender for the dean role. Parolin is still in his position and was likewise regarded as a leading candidate during the 2025 conclave. In a notable move earlier in early 2025, Pope Francis had extended Battista Re's tenure despite him being over a decade past the Vatican’s typical retirement age, demonstrating the pope's desire for a trusted cardinal to oversee the conclave after his own death, even if Re was not a contender for the papacy himself.
Additionally, Pope Francis has recently elevated Cardinal Robert Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, into the senior ranks of the college. This move has further increased Prevost's profile as a "papabile," indicating strategic positioning within the hierarchy of the Vatican in anticipation of future leadership transitions.
