Key Points
- With the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, the Catholic Church needs to choose its new leader with the conclave set on May 7.
- The conclave is open to all cardinals under the age of 80, with 135 eligible to select the next pope. However, two have withdrawn due to health concerns.
- Among the 133 cardinal electors are three Filipinos - Cardinal Luis Tagle, Jose Advincula of Manila, and Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan, as well as Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Ghanaian Peter Turkson, Hungarian Peter Erdo and Ukrainian-Australian Mykola Bychok.
The Philippines has one of the largest numbers of Catholics in the world. An estimated 85 million or more than 78% of the country's population are Roman Catholics, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
There are 135 cardinals eligible to vote and be voted to become Pope, however, two have withdrawn due to health reasons. Among the 133 electors, three are Filipinos.
The three Filipino cardinals are Cardinal Luis Tagle, Pro-Prefect for the Section of First Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Jose Advincula of Manila, and Pablo Virgilio David of Caloocan.
Cardinal Tagle is among the popular names predicted to be among the contenders for the papacy, along with Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Ghanaian Peter Turkson, Hungarian Peter Erdo and Ukrainian-Australian Mykola Bychok.
The College of Cardinals will convene in conclave set to start on May 7, 2025. Source: AP / AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia/AAP Image
A message not just for the Philippines but for the whole of Asia, according to community leader and church volunteer from Sydney, Violi Calvert.
"I think it will send out a huge message to the whole of Asia - that you don't have to be from the West or the Anglo-Saxon countries to be in an important position in our church," Violi thinks.
Queensland-based Xavier Tilos Villagonzalo believes that if Cardinal Tagle is elected, it will be a continuation of Pope Francis' legacy, noting that since the cardinal has been dubbed the "Asian Francis".
"If ever it happens, he will be the first Pope who comes from Asia... and that would be perfect timing as the next World Youth Day will be happening in Seoul, South Korea in 2027," the Brisbane resident fondly shares.
FILE - Cardinals Luis Antonio Tagle, of the Philippines, left, and Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, of Ghana, are among the popular names as possible contenders for the Papacy as speculated by experts. Source: AP / AP Photo/Andrew Medichini/AAP Image
"Whether it is Cardinal Tagle from the Philippines or another country, whether they're Italian or non-Italian, I hope the cardinals will be guided by the Holy Spirit to decide who the next Pope will be."
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