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The karaoke pope? Filipinos hope popular cardinal will become the 'Asian Francis'
The Guardian
|May 06, 2025
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle laughed when asked in 2015 if he had ever considered that he might one day be pope. "I make a public confession here. I cannot even manage my life. How can I imagine a worldwide community?"
Despite his self-deprecating response, the Filipino is among those tipped as a potential successor to Pope Francis. If appointed, he would be the first Asian pope in modern times.
Tagle, who goes by the nickname Chito, has been described as the Asian Francis, due to his progressive outlook and humble lifestyle. He has previously criticised the "harsh" stance on toward single mothers, and people who are gay or divorced.
As bishop of Imus, near Manila, he rode the cheap public minivans known as jeepneys, and invited the destitute to eat with him. Known as unpretentious, Tagle is also a fan of singing and dancing. Videos of him have been shared widely, winning the approval of many in the Philippines, where karaoke is practically a national sport.
Tagle, second left, with other cardinals in Rome after visiting the tomb of the late Pope Francis PHOTOGRAPH: GUGLIELMO MANGIAPANE/REUTERS
This story is from the May 06, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
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