VATICAN (SE): The Vatican announced the appointment of Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle of the Philippines as the new Dean of the College of Cardinals, following the retirement of 92-year-old Giovanni Battista Cardinal Re. Cardinal Tagle is currently pro-prefect of the Section for First Evangelisation and New Particular Churches within the Dicastery for Evangelisation, Vatican News reported on October 9.
According to a press release issued by the Holy See, Cardinal Tagle, who is 69, will take up the role immediately. “I am deeply humbled by this responsibility,” Cardinal Tagle said. The announcement follows Cardinal Re’s nearly seven-year tenure as dean.
Cardinal Tagle was elected to the post on Thursday, October 8, by the cardinals of the Order of Cardinal-Bishops. He will assume the title of the Suburbicarian Church of Ostia while retaining the title of the Suburbicarian Church of Albano.
The Vatican described the appointment as a step towards “renewal and continuity” in the Church.
Cardinal Tagle will therefore lead the cardinals of the world, Vatican News reported.
The dean’s primary duty is to convene any future Conclave in the event of a sede vacante (vacant see) and to preside over it, provided he is under the age of 80 and thus included among the electors.
