CBCP Appeals to Public: Refrain from Campaigning for Cardinal Tagle as Next Pope

As global speculation swirls about the future leadership of the Catholic Church, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is calling on the public to refrain from promoting Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as a papal candidate.

In a public appeal, Rev. Fr. Jerome Secillano, Executive Secretary of the CBCP’s Public Affairs Commission, reminded the faithful that only the cardinal electors hold the authority to choose the next Supreme Pontiff during the papal conclave.

“Let us avoid campaigning or endorsing anyone, including Cardinal Tagle,” Fr. Secillano said. “The choice of the next pope is a sacred process guided by the Holy Spirit and entrusted solely to the College of Cardinals.”

Cardinal Tagle, a prominent Filipino prelate and Vatican official currently serving as Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, is often cited in global media as a potential successor to Pope Francis. Despite this attention, the CBCP emphasized the need for prayerful reflection over public endorsements.

“We encourage the faithful to pray for Cardinal Tagle and the other cardinals who will participate in the conclave,” Fr. Secillano added. “This is a time for prayer, not politics.”

The CBCP’s statement comes amid growing discussions about the future of the Catholic Church’s leadership, especially as Pope Francis, now 88, continues to face health challenges and has openly acknowledged the possibility of retirement.

The Vatican has not made any official announcements regarding a conclave, and Pope Francis remains the head of the Roman Catholic Church.