Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Pope Leo Approves Tagle as First Asian Cardinals Dean
Pope Leo approved Cardinal Luis Tagle to become the dean of the College of Cardinals.
Tagle is from the Philippines and is 69 years old.
He replaces Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who is retiring at age 92.
Tagle is the first Asian cleric to hold this role.
The dean is chosen by the other cardinals, but the pope must approve the choice.
The job lasts five years and can be renewed once.
If a pope dies or resigns, the dean takes charge of the process to choose a new pope.
Tagle also leads the Vatican office responsible for the Church’s missionary work.
Pope Leo approved Filipino Cardinal Luis Tagle’s election as dean of the College of Cardinals.
Tagle, 69, replaces retiring Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who is 92.
Tagle is the first Asian cleric selected to lead the group.
The dean is elected by cardinals and requires papal approval; the term lasts five years and may be renewed once.
The dean oversees the conclave process after a pope dies or resigns.
- Who
- Pope Leo approved Cardinal Luis Tagle’s election as dean of the College of Cardinals.
- What
- Tagle was selected as dean, replacing Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.
- When
- The report is dated Oct. 9; it does not specify the year of the approval.
- Where
- The announcement was made by the Vatican.
- Why
- Re is retiring from the role; the dean leads the cardinals and oversees the conclave process when a pope dies or resigns.
- New dean
- Filipino Cardinal Luis Tagle, 69
- Predecessor
- Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, 92
- Significance
- Tagle is the first Asian cleric selected to lead the College of Cardinals.
- Term
- Five years, renewable once
- Selection process
- Elected by fellow cardinals and approved by the pope
- Role in a conclave
- The dean takes charge of the process to choose a pope after a pope dies or resigns.
- Vatican position
- Tagle leads the Dicastery for Evangelization.