Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle Elected Dean of College of Cardinals

Vatican City, 9 October 2026: Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle has been elected Dean of the College of Cardinals, succeeding Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who is stepping down at the age of 92 after serving in the position for nearly seven years.

Cardinal Tagle, 69, is the Pro-Prefect of the Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches within the Dicastery for Evangelization. The cardinals of the Order of Cardinal-Bishops elected him on 8 October, with the appointment announced on 9 October. According to the Holy See, he will assume the title of the Suburbicarian Church of Ostia while retaining his title of the Suburbicarian Church of Albano.

Cardinal Re, who served under four pontificates, from Pope John Paul II to Pope Leo XIV, retains the title of the Suburbicarian Church of Sabina-Poggio Mirteto and assumes the title of Dean Emeritus of the College of Cardinals.

The title of Dean Emeritus follows a reform introduced by Pope Francis in 2019, which established a five-year term for the Dean, renewable once, replacing the previous practice of holding the office for life. Cardinal Re was reappointed for a second term in January 2025, following his initial appointment in 2020.

As Dean, Cardinal Tagle will coordinate the activities of the College of Cardinals. The position does not confer governing authority over other cardinals, as the Dean serves as *primus inter pares*, meaning “first among equals”.

The Dean also has the responsibility of convening and presiding over a conclave when the See of Rome becomes vacant, provided he is under 80 years of age and eligible to vote in the papal election.

Cardinal Tagle’s election places him at the head of the College of Cardinals, which plays a central role in the life of the Church, particularly during the transition between pontificates.

Courtesy: Vatican News