Tagle could be first Filipino pope - De Villa
The country’s former ambassador to the Vatican believes the chance of Manila Archbishop Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle becoming pope in the future increased with his appointment as Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
And Henrietta de Villa said when this happens, Tagle will be the first Filipino pope.
“Speaking in practical terms and the ways of the world, of course, he will be more known by those electing the Pope. Although he is already known, he will be further known,” she said in an interview.
“And with all the good things he will be able to do, I am sure his value to the universal Church will be seen,” she added.
Tagle was earlier reported to be one of the “frontrunners” for the papacy during the 2013 conclave when Pope Francis was elected.
De Villa recalled the time when Tagle became cardinal.
“I remember he stepped on this platform...and then when he returned outside he was waving. I said to myself, ‘he will be the first Filipino pope.’ I even told him that,” she said.
But, De Villa said her wish for the cardinal right now is for the Lord to accompany him in his new mission.
“I pray that the Lord will accompany him so that he may be an instrument in bringing the church closer to the people,” she said.
De Villa explained that the post to be held by Tagle is very important because it is the one in charge of the mission territories or areas where Christianity is new or unknown.
“More than one third of all the dioceses in the world are mission territories. That means that all the appointment of bishops there, the help from the Church to mission territories, will come from his office. That’s how important the post is,” she said.
“That’s why the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, or Propaganda Fide, is the Red Pope because that’s how important the post is,” De Villa added.
The Vatican announced the appointment of Cardinal Tagle as the new Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples Sunday.