At a seminary two hours south of Manila, walls are decorated not only with official photos of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, but also with cherished memories that reveal the joyful spirit of the man many hope could be the next pope. According to The Telegraph, these mementoes include images of Cardinal Tagle “bursting into song during karaoke performances and dancing with excited parishioners.” Nearby, a locked cabinet even holds his “used toothbrush, an expired bank card and a pair of rusting nail clippers,” lovingly collected by the seminary’s staff.
Affectionately known as “Cardinal Chito” in the Philippines, Cardinal Tagle’s love of music and laughter has endeared him to many. Susan de Guzman, who has worked in the seminary’s kitchen for over 30 years, recalled, “He loves to sing… One day we had a staff talent show… Cardinal Chito picked up a guitar and started singing and one of the other priests started dancing. Everyone was laughing so much that we never got through the other acts” (The Telegraph). His favorite songs included “slow Tagalog love ballads” like Handog by Filipino singer Florante and even English classics like John Lennon’s Imagine — although he respectfully omitted the part mentioning “heaven, hell, and religion” (The Telegraph).
Born and raised in Imus, near Manila, Cardinal Tagle’s approach to ministry was humble and approachable. John Espinoza, who now works at the Archdiocese of Manila, shared that when Cardinal Tagle arrived at Mass riding a tricycle, parishioners were surprised to discover that he was their bishop: “People were asking, ‘Where’s the bishop?’ Then he would say, ‘I will be presiding over the Mass,’ and the people were shocked” (The Telegraph).
Crowds were so drawn to him that during Communion, people would line up specifically in front of him, bypassing other ministers. As Efran Kaiklian, a gardener at Imus Cathedral, said, “Cardinal Chito has a special charisma that draws people to him” (The Telegraph).
His ability to inspire laughter and tears simultaneously has made him particularly appealing to young Catholics. Father Ramon Bautista, a classmate from seminary days and now a Jesuit conference director, said, “He can make you cry and he can make you laugh at the same time. He has an appeal to young people precisely because of this gift” (The Telegraph).
Despite his outgoing personality, Cardinal Tagle also possesses a reflective and diplomatic side. Unlike Pope Francis, who is sometimes more direct, Cardinal Tagle prefers a gentler approach. As Father Emmanuel “Nono” Alfonso observed, “When I asked Chito about that [Pope Francis’ 2014 critique of Vatican officials], he said that he would have been more diplomatic. You know why? Because Asians are like that. They’re not going to confront you” (The Telegraph).
During the harsh years of Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency in the Philippines, Cardinal Tagle refrained from public confrontation, opting instead to quietly organize dialogues and support drug rehabilitation efforts. “He didn’t see the point in coming out and confronting Duterte head-on, so he went about it in a different way,” explained Father Nono (The Telegraph).
As a lifelong student of the Church, Cardinal Tagle holds a doctorate in episcopal collegiality from the Catholic University of America. “He’s a professional theologian,” said Father Nono, noting that although Cardinal Tagle enjoys intellectual engagement and writing, his growing leadership responsibilities have limited his academic work (The Telegraph).
Cardinal Tagle’s pastoral vision closely mirrors that of Pope Francis, particularly in reaching out to historically marginalized groups. He has previously urged the Church to reassess its “severe” stance toward gay people, divorcees, and single mothers, emphasizing that “each individual deserved compassion and respect” (The Telegraph).
Rev. Crescencio Agbayani Jr., an openly gay pastor in the Philippines, expressed hope that Cardinal Tagle would continue the merciful approach begun by Pope Francis. “Cardinal Tagle is very progressive and I think he would follow what Pope Francis started… I think he will use mercy and compassion to understand the LGBTQIA in the Philippines because he is very tolerant” (The Telegraph).
Should Cardinal Tagle become the next pope, many believe it would be a moment of great celebration in the Philippines. As Rev. Crescencio said, “All Filipinos, even non-Catholics, will be happy if he becomes the next pope. It would be a really exciting event. We would have fiestas here and everybody would sing karaoke” (The Telegraph).
Beyond personal popularity, Cardinal Tagle’s election could significantly boost the Catholic Church’s missionary dynamism in Asia, where the number of Catholics continues to grow steadily. Father Vladimir Echalas of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines remarked, “Asia is also a fertile ground for interreligious dialogue and evangelisation” (The Telegraph). He believes Cardinal Tagle’s leadership could further “boost the Church in Asia” and strengthen outreach efforts.
As the conclave prepares to open on May 7, Filipino Catholics — and many around the world — wait in prayerful hope. Whether or not Cardinal Tagle is elected, his joyful witness to the Gospel offers a powerful reminder of the Church’s mission: to meet people where they are, with compassion, humility, and the joy of Christ.
Pick a pope from where the flock is growing and not where it is dying. It is a sign they are a good shepherd.