Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, has emerged as a likely contender as the next pope, as some cardinals may wish to turn away from Europe towards Asia or Africa in the search for the next pontiff in next week’s conclave.

A former archbishop of Manila whom the late Pope Francis asked to lead the Vatican's evangelisation office in 2019, Tagle is known for a charming, down-to-earth persona. Often called the "Asian Francis" because of his similar commitment to social justice, if elected, Tagle would be the first pontiff from Asia.

Tagle, the 'Asian Francis', is papal contender

On paper, Tagle, who generally prefers to be called by his nickname "Chito", seems to have all the boxes ticked to qualify him to be a pope. He has had decades of pastoral experience since his ordination to the priesthood in 1982. He then gained administrative experience, first as bishop of Imus and then as archbishop of Manila.

Pope Benedict later made him a cardinal in 2012.

In a move seen by some as a strategy by Francis to give Tagle some Vatican experience, the pope in 2019 transferred him from Manila and appointed him head of the Church's missionary arm, formally known as the Dicastery for Evangelisation.

He comes from what some called "Asia's Catholic lung," because the Philippines, a country of nearly 115 million, is almost 80% Catholic. His mother was an ethnic Chinese Filipino. He speaks fluent Italian and English.

When Francis visited the Philippines in 2014, he attracted the largest crowds in papal history. An outdoor Mass in Manila included an estimated 7 million people.

When Pope Francis visited the Philippines

But Tagle was also embroiled in a scandal. In 2022, Francis removed him from a job leading a Vatican-based confederation of 162 Catholic relief, development and social services organizations working in more than 200 countries.

Francis fired the entire leadership of Caritas Internationalis following reports of bullying by management. Tagle's role, akin to chancellor of the organisation, was mostly ceremonial.

Announcing the pope's dramatic decision, Tagle told a meeting of the confederation that the changes were a moment for "facing our failures". It remains to be seen how the saga will impact Tagle's chances at the papacy.

(Production: Peter Blaza)