Pope Leo approves Tagle as first Asian dean of Catholic cardinals

Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, October 8, 2026.

REUTERSPope Leo approved Filipino Cardinal Luis Tagle's election as the dean of the Catholic ​Church's college of cardinals, the Vatican said on Friday, ‌in the first selection of an Asian cleric to lead the elite group that one day will choose Leo's successor.A former archbishop ​of Manila, Tagle has served as a senior Vatican ​official since 2020.

He was widely seen as a likely ⁠papal candidate in the May 2025 conclave that elected ​Leo to lead the Church after the death of the ​late Pope Francis.Tagle, 69, replaces Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who is 92 and retiring from the role.Leo, 71, is relatively young for ​a pope, plays sports and is in good health.The dean ​of the college of cardinals is considered the "first among equals"….

The role has ​mostly been filled by Europeans, but was ​held by ⁠the late Beninese Cardinal Bernardin Gantin from 1993-2002.Tagle was seen as a close ally of Pope Francis and is known ⁠for an ​infectious smile and is sometimes called ​by his diminutive nickname "Chito".

He leads the Vatican's Dicastery for Evangelization, effectively the ​Church's missionary arm.

Unless otherwise stated, all content is Pope Leo approves Tagle as first Asian dean of Catholic cardinals Reuters | Updated 7 minutes ago | Former Manila archbishop Tagle has been a senior Vatican official since 2020 and was a papal contender in 2025.