Pope Leo lays groundwork for future conclave by naming Filipino cardinal as dean of cardinals

On Friday, Pope Leo XIV took the initial step to prepare for the future papal election by appointing Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as the new dean of the College of Cardinals. The 69-year-old Cardinal Tagle, who heads the Vatican's evangelization office, succeeded the 92-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. The dean of the college assumes a crucial role during a papal transition and is frequently viewed as a leading candidate for the papacy.

He presides over the funeral of the outgoing pope and assists in the closed-door meetings of cardinals before the vote to discuss the church's needs. If he is under 80 years old during the conclave, he also contributes to the secretive election in the Sistine Chapel to choose the next pope. Following the election, it is the dean who inquires with the chosen individual about accepting the position and the desired title.

According to the Vatican's announcement, Pope Leo XIV authorized Tagle's election as dean, which was carried out by a group of six senior cardinals. Tagle, being the youngest member of the group, indicates that the cardinals intended him to hold the position for an extended period. Previously, Tagle had been considered a potential contender for the 2025 conclave that elected Pope Leo.

This high-profile promotion further enhances Tagle's "papabile" status, suggesting he would be a top contender for the papacy in a future conclave. There is a precedent for such a promotion: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger served as dean when he was elected Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. Another rumored candidate for the dean position was Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 71, who is currently Pope Francis' secretary of state and was also a favorite in the 2025 conclave.

With Pope Francis' imminent demise in early 2025, he extended the tenure of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re to ensure a loyal card official would manage the conclave following his death, even though Re was beyond the Vatican's typical retirement age. This decision highlighted Francis' desire for a dependable cardinal to coordinate the conclave after his passing, regardless of Re's contender status.

Concurrently, Francis added another cardinal to the senior ranks of the college, immediately elevating their standing as "papabile" or possessing the qualities of a pope. Cardinal Robert Prevost, who later became Pope Leo XIV, now enjoys enhanced status.