Choosing the Pope is not a popular vote

Following the death of Pope Francis on Monday, April 21, a wave of support from Filipino Catholics has emerged online, advocating for Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle to become the next head of the Roman Catholic Church. 

While well-intentioned, Church leaders warn that such public campaigning is misplaced and potentially harmful.

The selection of a new pope is not influenced by popularity or public opinion. It is the solemn duty of the cardinal electors—those under 80 years old—who will gather in a Conclave to discern and vote for the next pontiff. 

This ancient process, rooted in Church tradition since the time of Saint Peter, remains strictly confidential and spiritual in nature.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has cautioned against the public promotion of Cardinal Tagle’s papacy bid, stressing the need to preserve the integrity of the selection process.

“It is not prudent for the public to promote Cardinal Tagle as the next Pope,” the CBCP said in a statement, warning that it may give the impression of external pressure on what should be a sacred and independent process.

Reverend Father Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs and spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Manila, emphasized the need for restraint.

“The independence of the electors must be respected,” he said. “The least we can do is pray for Cardinal Tagle and the other cardinal electors.”

There are currently 135 eligible cardinal electors worldwide, including three from the Philippines: Cardinal Tagle, now based in the Vatican as part of the Roman Curia; Cardinal Jose Advincula, Archbishop of Manila; and Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, Bishop of Kalookan and CBCP President.

For now, the Catholic Church remains in mourning as it prepares to honor the late Pope Francis and convene the Conclave that will choose his successor. 

Filipino Catholics, while hopeful, are urged to support the process through prayer, not political-style promotion.              TRACY CABRERA