4 contenders to become the next pope
1. Luis Tagle
Cardinal Luis Tagle has served as the pro-prefect of the Section of the First Evangelization and New Particular Churches of the Vatican's Dicastery for Evangelization. He was elevated to the title of cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.
Before his appointment to his current role in 2019, Tagle served as archbishop of Manila in the Philippines.
If elected, Tagle would become the first pope from the Philippines in history. At age 67, Tagle is younger than the two most recent popes when they assumed the title of bishop of Rome and successor of St. Peter but older than Pope St. John Paul II when he assumed the papacy at age 58.
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Tagle's name was mentioned as a potential pope in 2013, the last time the Catholic Church entered into a conclave. Schmalz identified Tagle as a friend of Francis and described him as "relatively speaking, progressive."
Tagle has ambiguous positions on many of the top issues facing the Catholic Church. Tagle has not issued a public statement on the issue of ordaining female deacons. However, he served on a Vatican committee concluding that while "a ministry of deaconesses did indeed exist," this ministry "was not perceived as simply the feminine equivalent of the masculine diaconate."
Tagle's position on blessings for same-sex couples is unclear, although he has condemned the use of "harsh words" against LGBT Catholics. On the topic of priestly celibacy, Tagle has said, "Some make it the culprit for all types of sexual misconduct."
"Others defend it but in a narrowly legalistic way that proves ineffectual," he added. "We need a serene but comprehensive consideration of the matter."
Although Tagle has not specifically weighed in on the debate over the Traditional Latin Mass, he has suggested that some Catholics need to let go of the desire to "witness to Christ in some idealized past that they long for with nostalgia." Tagle has also maintained that there is a need to give Catholic teaching on contraception a more "pastoral" emphasis.
When it comes to divorced and remarried Catholics, Tagle has stated, "every situation for those who are divorced and remarried is quite unique." He contended that prohibiting this group of Catholics from communion "might be counterproductive in the end."
"'Can we take every case seriously, and is there, in the tradition of the Church, paths towards addressing each case individually?'" he asked. "This is one issue that I hope people will appreciate is not easy to say 'no' or to say 'yes' to. We cannot give one formula for all."
Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Post. He can be reached at: ryan.foley@christianpost.com
