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Cardinal Tagle Elected New Dean
Filipino cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle becomes Dean of College of Cardinals after Pope Leo XIV's election.
In brief
Filipino cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle becomes Dean of College of Cardinals after Pope Leo XIV's election. Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle succeeds 92-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re as Dean of College of Cardinals. Originally reported by Vaticannews.
Cardinal Tagle Elected
Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle succeeds 92-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re as Dean of College of Cardinals.
“Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches within the Dicastery for Evangelization, succeeds 92-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, as Dean of the College of Cardinals.”
Dean Emeritus Title
Cardinal Re retains title of Suburbicarian Church of Sabina-Poggio Mirteto and becomes Dean Emeritus.
“Cardinal Re, a historic figure of the Roman Curia who has served through the last four pontificates, from John Paul II to the present, retains the title of the Suburbicarian Church of Sabina-Poggio Mirteto and assumes the title of “Dean Emeritus” of the College of Cardinals.”
Pope's Reform
Pope Francis introduced a five-year term for the Dean role in 2019 to manage growing responsibilities.
“This decision stemmed from the fact that “with the increase in the number of cardinals” (fifteen beyond the traditional threshold of 120 electors), “ever-greater responsibilities” were weighing on the Dean of the College of Cardinals.”
Cardinal Re's Reappointment
Cardinal Re was reappointed Dean in 2025 after Pope Francis valued his work during the 2013 Conclave.
“On 7 January 2025, the Pope reappointed him for a second term; argentine cardinal leonardo sandri was also reconfirmed in his role as Vice-Dean.”
Cardinal Re's Role
Cardinal Re presided over Pope Bergoglio's funeral and the 2025 Conclave as Dean.
“Three months later, acting in his capacity as Dean, cardinal re presided over the funeral rites for jorge mario bergoglio on april 26, 2025, as well as the subsequent Missa pro eligendo Pontifice (Mass for the Election of the Pope), the Eucharistic celebration held on the morning of the beginning of the Conclave on 7 may 2025”
Cardinal Tagle's Role
Cardinal Tagle leads cardinals as primus inter pares without hierarchical authority.
“Tagle will therefore lead the cardinals of the world, though always in the capacity of primus inter pares, meaning he will not exercise hierarchical governing authority over his fellow cardinals, but rather coordinate their activities.”
What matters most
Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle succeeds 92-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re as Dean of College of Cardinals.
