Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle recently spoke about Pope Leo XIV, his experience of the conclave, and reflected on the legacy of the late Pope Francis.

In an interview with the Vatican News, the Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization shared his experience at the recent conclave and his thoughts of the new Vicar of Christ and late Pope Francis.

During the Papal Conclave at the Sistine Chapel, Tagle and Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost actually sat next to each other. 

A week after Pope Leo XIV's election, the two met once again at a private audience.

“I first met Pope Leo XIV in Manila and in Rome when he was still the Prior General of the Order of St. Augustine. We worked together in the Roman Curia starting in 2023. He has a deep and patient capacity for listening and engages in careful study and reflection before making a decision. The Pope expresses his feelings and preferences without imposing them. He is intellectually and culturally well-prepared, but without showing off. In his relationships, Pope Leo brings a calm warmth, shaped by prayer and missionary experience,” the cardinal described the new pope said when asked about the new pontiff.

Prior to the Conclave, with concerns of a divided Church and cardinals with unclear ideas about choosing a new Pope, Tagle shared his thoughts on his second Conclave, his second after 2013.

“Before any major, global event, you hear speculation, analysis and predictions--and a conclave is no different. I have participated in two conclaves which I count as a real grace. In the conclave of 2013, Pope Benedict XVI was still alive, while in the conclave of 2025, Pope Francis had passed into eternal life. We should bear in mind the difference in context and atmosphere. While each of the two conclaves was a unique and unrepeatable experience, some elements remain constant.

He added. “ In 2013, I wondered why we had to wear choral attire during the conclave. Then I learned and experienced that a conclave is a liturgical event - a time and space for prayer, for listening to God’s Word, the stirrings of the Holy Spirit, the groanings of the Church, humanity and creation, for personal and communal purification of motivations, and for worship and adoration of God, whose will must reign supreme. Both Pope Francis and Pope Leo were elected on the second day. The conclave teaches us, our families, parishes, dioceses, and nations that communion of minds and hearts is possible if we worship the true God.”

Being in such close proximity, Tagle shared how Cardinal Prevost reacted when the 2/3 majority vote was reached, two days after the Conclave began.

“His reaction alternated between smiling and breathing deeply. It was holy resignation and holy fear combined. I silently prayed for him. The moment he got the required number of votes, a thunderous applause erupted, (much like at the election of Pope Francis). The Cardinals expressed joy and gratitude for their brother, Cardinal Prevost. But it was also an intimate moment between Jesus and him, which we could not enter nor disturb. I said to myself, “Let holy silence envelope Jesus and Peter.”

As an Asian, Tagle said the new American-Peruvian pope brings a “unique face” to his larger flock. 

“Without denying the primacy of grace in the ministry of Pope Leo, I believe that his human, cultural, religious and missionary background will give a unique face to his ministry. But this is true of all Popes. The Petrine ministry of strengthening brothers and sisters in the faith in Jesus, the Son of the living God, remains the same—but each Pope lives and exercises it through his unique humanity. Pope Leo’s multi-continental and multi-cultural background will surely help him in his ministry and benefit the Church. The people of Asia love the Pope as Pope, whichever country he comes from. He is loved not only by Catholics, but also by other Christians and followers of non-Christian religions.”

Tagle the papabile

As a potential pope or “papabile” himself, Tagle admitted the experience brought its own set of challenges, especially being the focus himself. 

“As someone who does not enjoy being put in the limelight, I found the attention rather unsettling. I tried to muster spiritual and human strength in order not to be affected. I meditated a lot on the words of the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis concerning “the grave duty incumbent on (the Cardinals) and thus on the need to act with right intention for the good of the Universal Church, "solum Deum prae oculis habentes.”

As the one month anniversary of Pope Francis’ death approaches, the Filipino cardinal reflects on his legacy.  

“My heart is gladdened by the numerous testimonies given by the Catholic faithful, non-Catholic Christian communities and members of non-Christian religions about the teaching and legacy of Pope Francis. I hope these testimonies continue to grow and be “gathered” as part of our understanding not only of Pope Francis but also of the Petrine ministry. 

For my part, I would highlight his gift of humanity—of being human to others—which marked his Pontificate. If you have a personal story to tell about him, share it. Our world needs to rediscover and to nurture the beauty and worth of being authentically human. Pope Francis, through his simple and even frail humanity, has contributed immensely to this search, not for his own glory, but for the greater glory of God, who in Jesus became fully human,” he said. —RF, GMA Integrated News