BREAKING Cardinal Tagle of the Philippines Elected New Dean of the College of Cardinals - who is Responsible for Future Conclaves
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Cardinal Tagle Elected New Dean of the College of Cardinals
Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle has been elected Dean of the College of Cardinals, succeeding 92-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who led the body for nearly seven years.
Cardinal Tagle, age 69, currently serves as Pro-Prefect of the Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches within the Dicastery for Evangelization. He was elected on Thursday, October 8, by the Cardinal-Bishops, with the official announcement made Friday. As Dean, Tagle takes on the title of the Suburbicarian Church of Ostia while retaining his title of the Suburbicarian Church of Albano.
Pope Francis’s Term Limits Cardinal Re steps down to become "Dean Emeritus," a title established under Pope Francis’s 2019 motu proprio. To manage the growing duties of the expanding College, the Pope reformed the position from a lifetime appointment to a five-year term, renewable once.
After completing his initial five-year term, Cardinal Re was reappointed in January 2025 alongside Vice-Dean Cardinal Leonardo Sandri. During his tenure, Cardinal Re presided over the funeral rites of Pope Francis on April 26, 2025, and the Missa pro eligendo Pontifice prior to the May 2025 conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV.
First Among Equals As Dean, Cardinal Tagle will serve as primus inter pares ("first among equals"), coordinating the work of the global body of cardinals without exercising direct hierarchical authority over them. His primary duty will be to convene and preside over any future conclave, provided he remains under the age of 80.
New Appointment: Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle (age 69) has been elected Dean of the College of Cardinals by the Order of Cardinal-Bishops.
Outgoing Dean: 92-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re steps down after nearly seven years of service, assuming the title of "Dean Emeritus."
Key Responsibilities:
Coordinates the activities of the global College of Cardinals as primus inter pares (first among equals).
Convenes and presides over future papal conclaves (until reaching age 80).
Context & Term Limits: Under a 2019 reform by Pope Francis, the Dean’s role changed from a lifetime position to a renewable five-year term. Cardinal Re served through the death of Pope Francis in April 2025 and led the pre-conclave Mass preceding the election of Pope Leo XIV in May 2025.
Titles: Cardinal Tagle assumes the Suburbicarian Church of Ostia while retaining his title of Albano. Cardinal Re retains Sabina-Poggio Mirteto.
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