Philippine Canadian Inquirer (National)
Cardinal Tagle is now the “Red Pope,” appointed by Pope Francis
POPE FRANCIS chose Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle as the head of one of the Vatican’s global offices, as announced on Sunday, December 8.
Tagle will lead the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, with this position dubbed as the “Red Pope.”
As a prefect of one of the nine congregations of the Vatican or the Roman Curia, this makes Tagle one of the most powerful figures in the Catholic world. The position is equivalent to that of a member of the “Cabinet” of the Pope and members are usually based in Rome.
He is the second prelate from Asia to fill the post, with Cardinal Ivan Dias of India serving from 2006 to 2011.
The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples is the department of the Vatican that uses missionary works, focusing on spreading Catholicism around the world. Tagle will succeed Cardinal Fernando Filoni, as Vatican News reported that the latter was appointed as the Grand Master of the order of the Holy Sepulcher.
It was in October 2011 when Tagle helmed the Manila Cathedral as its 32nd archbishop appointed by then-pope Benedict XVI, after serving as the bishop of Imus, Cavite since 2001. ■