Caloocan Archbishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David said there are no set candidates for the next pope as the selection process will be entirely guided by the Holy Spirit, who often chooses the “unexpected.”

Addressing the ongoing speculation about Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle’s potential election, David explained that the election process remains open, and any eligible cardinal could be chosen.

“Wala namang [predetermined na] kandidato sa election ng santo papa. Syempre hindi kami hihinto hanggat hindi kami nakakakuha ng two-thirds vote so kahit na sino sa mga eligible na cardinal ay pwedeng iboto,” he said in a GMA interview on Wednesday, April 23.

(There are no predetermined candidates for the election of the Holy Father. We will continue until we secure the two-thirds vote, meaning any eligible cardinal can be chosen).

David, who is also the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), added that although Tagle is frequently mentioned due to his prominence, the final decision is ultimately in God's hands.

“So madalas lang pag-usapan si Cardinal Tagle dahil very, very prominent siya dahil nakikita siya madalas. But, in general, medyo ‘yung hindi inaasahan ‘yun ‘yung pinipili ng Espiritu Santo,” he said.

(Cardinal Tagle is frequently mentioned due to his prominence and visibility. However, in general, it is the unexpected that the Holy Spirit chooses).

“‘Yun 'yung common notion kasi ng mga prospective candidate, ‘yung mga tipong popular o nakikita ganoon. Eh hindi ganyan. Si Pope Francis nga, hindi man siya kilala eh. So parang magugulat ka na lang, ‘Bakit ganon?’ So ibig sabihin, talagang nagdasal at kinilatis nang mabuti ng mga cardinal electors kung sino ba ang pwedeng gumabay ngayon,” he added.

(People often think that prospective candidates are those who are popular or frequently seen. But that’s not how it works. Even Pope Francis wasn’t widely known. So, it might surprise you, ‘Why like that?’ This shows that the cardinal electors prayed and discerned carefully to choose the right leader at this time).

He reiterated that the papacy requires deep discernment from the cardinal electors due to its global significance.

“Malaki ‘yung inaasahan ng bawat cardinal elector sa magiging papel ng susunod na santo papa),” he said.

(Every cardinal elector has great expectations for the role the next pope will fulfill).

David pointed out the significant responsibility of the papacy, describing the pope as the “Pontifex Maximus,” or the greatest bridge-builder, which symbolizes unity within the universal Church and serves as an instrument of global unity.