What began as a simple Sunday routine—attending Mass—soon became the highlight of my week, thanks to a priest whose homilies always seemed to speak directly to me.

In 2007, I was adjusting to the whirlwind of married life and the noise of motherhood. As a young mother overwhelmed by diapers, dishes, and doubts, I found clarity and comfort in the words of a priest who cut through the chaos and left a lasting impression.

Though we never met, I still remember his soft voice—gentle, never judgmental—speaking of forgiveness, suffering, and grace in ways that felt deeply personal. His homilies sounded as though they had been written for my exact moment in life.

That priest, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, is now being quietly named among the papabile—those considered possible successors to the pope.

From 2001 to 2011, Cardinal Tagle served as the Bishop of Imus, located just south of Manila in his home province of Cavite. He frequently celebrated Mass at Imus Cathedral, one of the province’s most iconic landmarks.

Even then, affectionately known as “Chito,” Cardinal Tagle was a towering figure—a true “rock star” of the clergy.

His popularity, charisma, and ability to connect with people were undeniable.

Whenever he presided, the cathedral overflowed. His deeply pastoral presence and relatable preaching drew standing-room-only crowds—a testament to the bond he built with the faithful.

Even after becoming Archbishop of Manila in 2011 and a cardinal in 2012, he continued to return to Imus for major events, showing his enduring connection to his roots.

Now, as the conclave to elect Pope Francis’s successor begins, Tagle’s name has reemerged on the shortlists of Vatican watchers and Catholic faithful around the world.

The idea still feels surreal. I can hardly believe it.

Cardinal Tagle’s decade-long service in Imus was marked by a deeply pastoral approach. He presided over countless celebrations—feast days, ordinations, and diocesan events—always drawing crowds eager to hear his homilies.

When I first heard him preach, I wasn’t thinking about Vatican politics or papal elections. I was thinking about how he made suffering sound less lonely, how he spoke of forgiveness with honesty and humility, and how he paused just long enough for meaning to settle into your heart.

His presence didn’t demand attention—it gently drew it. Even in the simplest moments, he radiated a spiritual calm that was both rare and reassuring.

He remained closely tied to Imus even after stepping into global roles in the Church.

Born on June 21, 1957, in Manila and raised in Imus, Tagle pursued philosophy and theology, eventually earning a doctorate in sacred theology in 1991. Ordained in 1982, he once served as rector of the Imus seminary, helping shape the next generation of priests.

As Bishop of Imus starting in 2001, he connected deeply with young people and embraced digital evangelization before it became common. In 2011, he was appointed Archbishop of Manila, and in 2012, Pope Benedict XVI elevated him to cardinal at age 55—one of the youngest in history. He later led Caritas Internationalis (2015–2022), though his term was marked by a leadership controversy unrelated to him.

In 2019, Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples—now Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization. Through Vatican synods and global Church roles, he has played an influential part in shaping policy, promoting interfaith dialogue, and advancing social justice.

His compassion and openness have earned him the nickname “Asian Francis,” a nod to his alignment with Pope Francis’s pastoral style.

In the secretive, prayerful tradition of papal conclaves, the thought that the priest I once listened to in a modest cathedral could lead 1.3 billion Catholics still feels extraordinary.

To the world, he is “His Eminence,” a prominent papabile alongside names like Cardinal Pietro Parolin. To me, he’s the priest whose words carried me when belief felt fragile.

Tagle’s progressive outlook and Asian perspective make him a compelling choice, though some critics cite his low-key administrative style as a potential liability.

With 133 cardinal-electors weighing theological, geographical, and institutional priorities, the outcome remains uncertain.

Whether Cardinal Tagle becomes pope is impossible to predict.

But his journey—rooted in humility, integrity, and quiet spiritual courage—offers hope not only for the Church but for leadership in a skeptical world.

If his voice ever echoes from the Vatican balcony, I’ll smile, remembering that once, before the red or white robes, he wore the plain vestments of a parish priest—changing lives one homily at a time.