In a warm and candid reflection, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle shared his thoughts with Vatican News on the early days of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate, offering personal insights into the new Pope’s character and recalling the deeply spiritual atmosphere of the recent conclave. It has been nearly a month since the world bid farewell to Pope Francis, and in this transitional moment, Cardinal Tagle’s voice resonates with both reverence and hope.
The Filipino cardinal first met Pope Leo XIV—formerly the Prior General of the Augustinians—years ago in Manila and Rome. Their paths converged in 2023 when they began working together in the Roman Curia. From those experiences, Cardinal Tagle describes Pope Leo as a deeply attentive and thoughtful man, one who listens more than he speaks and governs with a calm, prayerful warmth. While intellectually brilliant and culturally astute, the Pope wears his learning lightly, opting for humility and mission over pomp.
Reflecting on the conclave that elected Leo XIV, Cardinal Tagle recalled the gravity of the moment. Despite widespread speculation about divisions among the cardinals, the conclave concluded swiftly on the second day, echoing the election of Pope Francis in 2013. The atmosphere inside the Sistine Chapel, he noted, was not political but deeply spiritual—suffused with silence, prayer, and a collective surrender to divine will. He vividly remembered the moment when Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, crossed the threshold of the required two-thirds vote. The reaction was one of hushed awe and holy fear—a silent dialogue between Christ and his newly chosen shepherd.
In discussing the significance of Pope Leo’s Augustinian background following Pope Francis’ Ignatian legacy, Cardinal Tagle highlighted the spiritual harmony between the two saints. Both Augustine and Ignatius turned from worldly pursuits to lives centered on God’s grace and mercy, forming spiritual schools that emphasize inner transformation and mission. Cardinal Tagle believes the Church is uniquely blessed to be shaped by both traditions in succession.
Pope Leo’s roots in both North and South America—born in the United States and spiritually formed in Peru—make him, in Tagle’s words, a “Pope of two worlds.” For Asia and beyond, this multicultural, missionary identity speaks to a universal Church grounded in empathy and experience. Tagle is confident that Pope Leo will carry the Petrine mission forward with a spirit of humility and inclusion, traits that transcend borders and beliefs.
On the notion of being a papal contender himself, Cardinal Tagle admitted he found such speculation uncomfortable. Rather than dwelling on the possibility, he focused on the solemn responsibility that each cardinal holds before God—to vote with purity of intent, seeking only what is best for the Church. The conclave, he insisted, is not about candidates, but about discernment guided by the Holy Spirit.
Finally, Cardinal Tagle spoke with tender affection about Pope Francis’ enduring legacy. Above all, he sees in Francis a model of profound humanity—someone who made the Gospel visible not just through teaching, but through simple, authentic presence. His ability to connect with people of all faiths, and even those with none, left a deep imprint on the world. In an age thirsting for compassion and truth, Pope Francis reminded us that being truly human is one of the most divine acts of all.