Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle was elected the Dean of the College of Cardinals, succeeding the 92-year-old Italian, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. The primary duty of a Dean of the College is convening and, presuming he is under age 80, presiding over a Conclave. Cardinal Re’s service at the funeral of Pope Francis and the election of Pope Leo made him a well-known figure in the Church. The position of Dean was previously a charge for life. However, with a change in 2019, Pope Francis gave it a five-year term limit, with the possibility of one re-election. The Dean is elected by those cardinals who have the title of cardinal-bishop. A Dean does not have hierarchical governing authority over his fellow cardinals, but simply coordinates their activities. Cardinal Re, still active despite his age, has served under four pontiffs, with a long history in the Church. Notably, he was Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops Read More…

Cardinal Tagle chosen as new Dean of College of Cardinals