Fact Check: If elected, would Tagle be the first 'Asian' pope?
MANILA, Philippines — Following the death of Pope Francis, several cardinals have been considered as “papabiles” or the potential successor of the late pontiff.
One of whom is the Filipino Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, the Roman Curia’s pro-prefect of the Dicastery of Evangelization, who is also labeled as the “Asian Francis.”
Some posts on TikTok present Tagle as possibly the “first Asian” pope if elected by the College of Cardinals.
One TikTok post, which shows a part of a speech of Tagle in Poland, reads:
“Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is considered a strong contender to be chosen as the next Pope. Praying he will be the first Filipino and Asian to hold the papacy.”
Another TikTok video showing Tagle’s vestments also mentions him being the possible “first Asian pope,”:
“Philippines' Cardinal Louis Taglay is favorite to be first Asian pope.”
One TikTok video also explicitly mentioned Tagle to be the “first Asian pope.”
RATING: This needs context.
Facts
Although Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle would be the first Filipino and Southeast Asian pope if elected, he would not be the first Asian to lead the Catholic Church.
Throughout the Church’s history, several popes have come from regions considered part of Asia, predating the modern use of the term.
Three previous popes are regarded as Asian. Saint Peter, the apostle and first pope, was born in Bethsaida, located in what is now Western Asia.
Another was Gregory III, who served as pope from 731 to 741. Born in Syria, Gregory III was the last pope of Syrian origin and the last non-European to hold the papacy until Pope Francis.
Pope John VI, who led the Church from 701 to 705, was from Ephesus in Asia Minor, present-day Turkey.
Why we fact-checked this
The videos appear days before the College of Cardinals convenes for a conclave on May 7.
During a conclave, the College of Cardinals will choose the replacement of Francis, who died on April 21, 2025.
Unlike regular elections, choosing a head of state, the election of the new pope does not have metrics like surveys and does not need a campaign.
As explained by one of the electors of the conclave, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, who heads the bishops' conference in the Philippines, it is not a political contest, but a “deeply spiritual process.”
RELATED: Cardinal David's reminder: Conclave not a political contest
The TikTok videos referring to Tagle also gathered a significant amount of engagement.
The first video has 103 thousand likes, 505 comments and 6,911 shares while the second video has over 14 thousand likes, 595 comments and 548 shares. Meanwhile, the third video has 5804 likes, 175 comments and 331 shares.
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