Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is set to be the third cardinal-elector to cast his vote in the highly anticipated papal conclave, which will begin on Wednesday, May 7, at the Vatican. The conclave will bring together 133 cardinal-electors from around the world to elect the next pope, following the end of Pope Francis’s 12-year pontificate.
According to tradition, voting during the conclave follows the “order of precedence,” which is based on a cardinal’s class and the date they were elevated to the College of Cardinals. While all votes carry equal weight, this order determines the sequence in which cardinals submit their ballots.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, former Vatican Secretary of State and the most senior cardinal bishop in attendance, will cast the first vote. He will be followed by Cardinal Fernando Filoni, the former prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Cardinal Tagle, who succeeded Filoni in that role and was elevated to the rank of cardinal bishop in 2020, will cast the third vote.
Tagle’s early position in the voting sequence is considered significant, as it symbolizes his seniority and influence within the College of Cardinals. He has long been seen as a key figure in the global Church, particularly for his connection to Asia and his leadership within the Vatican.
Two other Filipino cardinals will also participate in the conclave. Cardinal Jose Advincula, the Archbishop of Manila, will vote 72nd, while Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, Bishop of Kalookan, will cast his ballot 103rd. All three are among the record number of electors from the Global South, underscoring the increasing diversity of the Catholic hierarchy.
To elect a new pope, a candidate must secure at least 89 votes — a two-thirds majority of the 133 electors. Once chosen, the new pope will select a papal name and be presented to the public from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
CBCP News notes that over 75% of the voting cardinals were appointed by Pope Francis, reflecting the transformative nature of his pontificate. This conclave is expected to mark a turning point for the Church, with voices from 72 nations across six continents shaping its next chapter.