KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan — There might solely be a number of days earlier than the Faculty of Cardinals gathers contained in the Sistine Chapel to elect the following chief of the Catholic Church, and, for the primary time in historical past, an Asian pope is an actual chance.
Of the 23 cardinals from Asia eligible to vote, one identify comes up time and again, that of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, generally known as the “Philippine Francis.”
The 67-year-old had a detailed relationship with Pope Francis and served as his envoy to Asia through the 2015-16 particular Jubilee Yr, throughout which he made a quick cease in Taipei, Taiwan. Tagle additionally accompanied Francis on his first worldwide journey to Asia in 2014, when the pontiff visited South Korea.
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Pope Francis, proper, waves to Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, left, throughout a ceremonial welcome on the Presidential Palace in Jakarta Sept. 4, 2024. (Tiziana Fabi/AFP by way of Getty Photographs)
Pope Francis achieved a number of “firsts” in Asia, together with turning into the primary pontiff to go to Myanmar in 2017 and Mongolia in 2023. Thomas Tu, a Vatican diplomacy professional at Taiwan’s Nationwide Chengchi College, instructed Fox Information Digital that whereas Mongolia is dwelling to solely about 1,400 Catholics, it now hosts a cardinal, however he’s Italian-born and simply 50 years outdated, making his election as pope unlikely.
One other Asian candidate is Burma’s Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, 76, from a rustic the place Catholics signify nearly 1% of the inhabitants. In the meantime, during the last a number of days, reviews from South Korean newspapers are suggesting South Korean Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, 74, is among the many main candidates to succeed Pope Francis.
Pope Francis greets the folks of China as he concludes Mass within the Hun Theatre Sept. 3, 2023, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (Vatican Media by way of Vatican Pool/Getty Photographs)
Catholicism is rising quickly in South Korea, based on Taipei-based Tu, who instructed Fox Information Digital each Buddhists and Protestants have been changing at shocking charges.
“In contrast to in Brazil, the place Catholics are shedding members to Evangelicals, Korea’s Catholic Church is attracting new followers,” Tu mentioned. Then-Bishop Lazarus You Heung-sik is extensively credited with serving to persuade Pope Francis to make South Korea the primary cease on his Asian travels in 2014. Heung-sik was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022.
Pope Francis, proper, walks with the Bishop of Daejon, Lazarus You Heung-sik, as he arrives on the Shrine of Solmoe, birthplace of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, in Dangjin Aug. 15, 2014. (Vincenzo Pinto/AFP by way of Getty Photographs)
Francis might someday be rated as among the many most influential popes of all time. Pope John Paul II made historical past by turning into the primary pope from Poland and his hold forth lasted 26 years (1978-2006). Francis was head of the Catholic Church for a a lot shorter time, nearly precisely 12 years, however the late pope appointed 80% of the cardinals who will vote for his successor.
The late Holy Father additionally enlarged the variety of cardinals and, for the primary time in historical past, the upcoming conclave will see European cardinals within the minority. Nevertheless, some consultants warn towards assuming the following pope might be “Francis the Second,” as many of those new cardinals are thought of extra conservative.
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This image taken Aug. 10, 2018, reveals a motorcyclist driving previous the Holy Spirit Church in Yanshui, about an hour’s drive from the southern metropolis of Tainan. (Sam Yeh/AFP by way of Getty Photographs)
The house nation of Asian cardinals doesn’t essentially replicate the variety of Catholics there. In Japan, Catholics make up fewer than 0.5% of the inhabitants, however there’s a Japanese cardinal who within reason energetic on social media. The biggest Asian block of cardinals hails from majority-Hindu India, which has six to the predominately Catholic Philippines’ 5.
Nonetheless, many Vatican watchers imagine Cardinal Tagle stays the most definitely Asian candidate, though his progressive stances might show divisive. Tagle has publicly criticized the church for utilizing “harsh phrases” in previous criticisms of LGBTQ Catholics and remarried divorcees and advocates for a extra versatile strategy. This stance is in keeping with Pope Francis’ 2015 papal declaration that mentioned the church must “keep away from judgments which don’t have in mind the complexity of assorted conditions.”
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo poses with family members throughout a courtesy go to Feb. 14, 2015, on the Vatican. (Tiziana Fabi/AFP by way of Getty Photographs)
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Ought to Tagle beat the percentages and turn into the following pope, his election would energize the church’s progressive wing, as he would doubtless proceed the liberal-leaning path charted by Francis. His emphasis on serving the poor has gained him admiration throughout Asia and past, as has his relatable model. Tagle reportedly prefers being known as by his nickname “Chito,” reasonably than by his formal title.
Pope Francis officiating the Basic Viewers in Saint Peter’s sq.. Pope Francis along with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. (Photograph by Grzegorz Galazka/Archivio Grzegorz Galazka/Mondadori Portfolio by way of Getty Photographs)
Thomas Tu shared a private story about Tagle’s compassion, recalling an incident earlier than the cardinal acquired his purple hat. After a younger seminarian died abruptly, Tagle selected to hitch the group of senior seminary members and personally go to the grieving household, later giving a shifting sermon by which he “in contrast the church to a mom, much like the one who had misplaced her son,” Tu mentioned. “Tagle simply has a means of reaching folks that’s particular.”
Few dispute that the election of the following pope might be among the many most consequential moments for the Catholic Church in a long time. And, for the primary time, candidates from Asia are actually a part of severe conversations in regards to the future path of the religion.
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