Searching for our next shepherd
With the passing of Pope Francis, the Church finds itself at a crossroads once more, mourning the end of a transformative papacy, and preparing our hearts for the quiet discernment that must now follow: the selection of the next pope.
This isn’t just a moment of transition. It’s a moment of deep reflection. What kind of Church have we become? What kind of Church do we hope to be?
In moments like these, I turn to stories – not only sacred scripture, but also those that bring the heart of the Church to life in other ways. Two films that I’ve seen recently and recommend enthusiastically come to mind: The Two Popes, and Conclave. Both offer fictionalized but powerfully insightful depictions of the papacy, the sacred rituals behind closed doors, and the tension between tradition and progress. But beyond the cinematic brilliance, what struck me most was the question both films asked, implicitly or aloud: What does it mean to lead the Church today?
As someone who had the rare privilege of covering Pope Francis' 2015 visit to the Philippines (pls. click on the link below for our special episode on the Papal visit), I’ve asked myself that same question. I came away from that assignment with more than stories for the news – I came away changed. I saw how Pope Francis could move millions with just a smile, a touch, a quiet prayer. He reminded us that true leadership doesn’t demand attention; it draws people in through humility and love.
A witness to the Church’s leaders
During that coverage, I met spiritual giants – Cardinal Chito Tagle, Archbishop Soc Villegas, Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, Fr. Rico Ayo, Fr. Anton Pascual. Men of intellect, yes, but more importantly, men of quiet holiness. They radiated something rare in our world: peace, joy, and gentleness, all fruits of the Holy Spirit. And of them, I’ve followed Cardinal Tagle most closely.
His humility, clarity of thought, and heart for the poor have inspired me not just as a Catholic, but as a Filipino. And while I respect the CBCP’s gentle caution against “campaigning” for papal contenders, I also believe that hope and pride – when expressed in faith and love – are valid forms of prayer. So yes, my heart quietly hopes for Cardinal Tagle.
He is, after all, one of the most respected voices in the global Church today. Appointed a cardinal in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI, he was then one of the youngest to be bestowed the responsibility. Fluent in multiple languages, armed with a doctorate in theology, and raised by a simple family in Cavite, his journey speaks of both groundedness and grace. More than his resumé, however, it is his heart that makes him papabile. He listens, he connects, which are some of the many reasons he was dubbed as Asia’s Francis.
I once asked him about his close friend Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, before he became Pope Francis. He smiled and said, “He was shy – camera-shy, even. But when the Holy Spirit calls you, you are transformed.” And so he was. From a reluctant cardinal to a radiant pope, Francis embodied the Church of mercy, justice, and accompaniment. Tagle, too, has shown the same capacity for transformation – not toward self-promotion, but toward deeper service.
Our Church is a global conclave
Of course, if Tagle is chosen, we must be prepared to let him go further from us, and closer to the world. His presence may become rarer, his responsibilities heavier, his cross more visible. But as the Gospel reminds us: “You do not light a lamp and hide it under a basket.” If the world needs his light, then it is right to share him.
Still, the conclave is not a race. It's not about frontrunners or favorites. It's about prayerful discernment. And that, more than anything, is what I hold onto now. Because the next pope will not just be selected by votes, but by grace. By listening. By reading the signs of the times. Conclave captured this beautifully – the idea that the one chosen may not be the most visible or obvious candidate, but the one the Spirit has quietly prepared.
The ten to watch
That said, there are names being quietly – and sometimes loudly – discussed within ecclesial circles, observers’ columns, and coffeehouse conversations across Catholic communities worldwide. Among the most mentioned papabili are ten notable figures, each carrying with them distinct gifts and theological leanings:
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy) – The seasoned Vatican Secretary of State, master of diplomacy and Church governance.
- Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy) – A pastoral and peace-driven archbishop with a heart for dialogue and the marginalized.
- Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines) – Our own, known for his deep humility, theological brilliance, and global missionary experience.
- Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich (Luxembourg) – A Jesuit with European insights and a bold voice in synodal reform.
- Cardinal Wilton Gregory (USA) – The first African-American cardinal, known for moral clarity, calm leadership, and courageous witness.
- Cardinal Peter Turkson (Ghana) – Long considered papabile, with strong credentials in social justice and environmental advocacy.
- Cardinal Christoph Schönborn (Austria) – A brilliant theologian with decades of leadership and bridge-building in Europe.
- Cardinal Robert Sarah (Guinea) – The voice of tradition, deeply spiritual and rooted in liturgical orthodoxy.
- Cardinal Marc Ouellet (Canada) – Former prefect of the bishops' congregation, with strong experience and theological depth.
- Cardinal Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga (Honduras) – A Latin American voice with social concern and global reach.
This list reflects the beauty and breadth of the global Church. Each one could chart a slightly different path forward.
Praying for the future?
But the deeper question remains: What kind of Church do we want to become?
A Church that listens, or a Church that dictates? A Church that welcomes, or one that excludes? A Church that walks with the wounded, or one that guards doctrine at the expense of mercy?
The next pope will not answer these questions alone – but he will shape the tone, the posture, and the spirit in which they are answered.
I pray that whoever emerges from the Sistine Chapel will carry forward the legacy of Pope Francis – not just in style, but in substance. That he will lead with the same tenderness that melts walls. The same boldness that challenges injustice. The same wisdom that invites even the doubters home.
The Church needs to be made young again – not in age, but in soul. We need to feel again that faith is alive. That holiness is possible. That Christ is here, now, in our joys and our wounds.
So as the cardinals prepare to enter the conclave, may we enter into prayer. As they discern behind locked doors, may we open our hearts. Because the future of the Church does not belong to one man in white – but to all of us who carry this faith forward.
Come, Holy Spirit. We are listening!
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