Will an Asian Pope Lead the Catholic Church? Cardinal Tagle in Spotlight

KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan — As the College of Cardinals prepares to convene in the Sistine Chapel to choose the next pope, whispers of history in the making are growing louder: could an Asian cardinal soon wear the papal tiara? With just days until the conclave begins on May 7, the possibility of an Asian pope is no longer a distant dream but a tangible prospect.

Among the 23 Asian cardinals eligible to vote, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines stands out. Affectionately dubbed the "Philippine Francis," the 67-year-old’s close ties to the late Pope Francis and his progressive outlook make him a frontrunner. Tagle, who prefers the nickname "Chito," accompanied Francis on his groundbreaking 2014 trip to South Korea and served as his envoy during the 2015-16 Jubilee Year, even stopping briefly in Taipei. His focus on compassion—evident in his moving sermons and personal gestures, like comforting a grieving family after a seminarian’s death—has won hearts across Asia and beyond.

Other Asian contenders include Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, 76, from Myanmar, where Catholics are a mere 1% of the population, and Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, 74, from South Korea, where Catholicism is surging. You Heung-sik’s role in convincing Francis to visit South Korea in 2014 and the rapid growth of the church there—converting Buddhists and Protestants alike—have elevated his profile. Yet, Tagle’s progressive stances, including his criticism of the church’s harsh rhetoric toward LGBTQ Catholics and remarried divorcees, align closely with Francis’ legacy, though they may spark debate among more conservative cardinals.

Pope Francis, who passed after a 12-year papacy, reshaped the College of Cardinals, appointing 80% of the voting members and ensuring European cardinals are now a minority. His visits to Myanmar in 2017 and Mongolia in 2023—firsts for any pope—underscored Asia’s rising importance. While India boasts the largest bloc of Asian cardinals with six, and the Philippines follows with five, the region’s Catholic populations vary widely, from Japan’s tiny 0.5% to the Philippines’ devout millions.

An Asian pope, particularly Tagle, could galvanize the church’s progressive wing, continuing Francis’ emphasis on inclusivity and service to the poor. As Vatican watchers speculate, this conclave promises to be a pivotal moment, with Asia’s cardinals no longer on the sidelines but at the heart of the conversation.