Cardinal Tagle to assist in conclave preps —CBCP

Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has been named as one of the cardinals to assist the Camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, in preparing for the conclave following Pope Francis’ death, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said.

According to CBCP News, elected along with Tagle were German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, who will also serve as coordinator of the Council for the Economy; as well as French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, prefect of the Apostolic Signatura.

Tagle is currently the pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization at the Vatican.

The CBCP said that the three cardinals will briefly assist the Camerlengo ahead of the secret conclave to elect the next pope, which is set to begin on May 7, 2025.

Tagle, Marx, and Mamberti reportedly joined the Particular Congregation, “the composition of which was renewed during the fifth pre-conclave meeting of cardinals, known as the ‘General Congregation,’ on Monday, April 28,” said CBCP.

“The two bodies oversee the administration of the Church during the sede vacante, or vacancy in the Holy See. Major decisions are handled by the General Congregation, which includes all members of the College of Cardinals,” the news item read.

“Other preparatory matters are handled by the Particular Congregation, composed of the camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church and three cardinals,” it added.

The three cardinals are then replaced by the General Congregation every three days, as provided by the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, which sets the procedures for the papal elections.

Aside from Tagle, two other Filipino cardinals are currently eligible to enter the conclave, namely: Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David.

Pope Francis died on Monday, April 21, at the age of 88, due to a stroke and irreversible heart failure.

The late pontiff suffered from double pneumonia which caused him to be hospitalized for weeks, prior to his death. —VAL, GMA Integrated News