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The papal frontrunner who could become the first Asian pope

The papal frontrunner who could become the first Asian pope

Independent05-05-2025
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, a 67-year-old, is considered a strong contender to be the next pope.
He currently leads the Vatican 's Dicastery for Evangelisation and is seen as a potential successor to Pope Francis due to their shared progressive views.
Cardinal Tagle's experience in his native Philippines and at the Vatican, combined with his youthful energy, makes him an appealing candidate to many.
A potential obstacle is his involvement in a management scandal at Caritas Internationalis, though his role was largely ceremonial.
If elected, Cardinal Tagle would be the first Asian pope and would signal a continuation of Pope Francis's reforms.
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