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His Eminence Luis Antonio Tagle OESSH STD
Pro-Prefect for the Section of First Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization
Cardinal Tagle in 2016
Church Catholic Church
Province Manila
See Archdiocese of Manila
Appointed June 5, 2022
Other posts
  • Cardinal-Bishop of San Felice da Cantalice a Centocelle (2020–)
  • President of the Interdicasterial Commission for Consecrated Religious (2019–)
  • Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Urbaniana University (2019–)
  • President of the Catholic Biblical Federation (2015–)
Orders
Ordination February 27, 1982
Consecration December 12, 2001
by Jaime Lachica Sin
Created Cardinal November 24, 2012
Rank
Personal details
Birth name Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle
Born (1957-06-21) June 21, 1957 (age 67)
Imus, Cavite, Philippines
Residence Pontificio Collegio Filippino, Rome, Italy
Occupation Prelate (cardinal)
Previous post
  • Bishop of Imus (2001–2011)
  • Metropolitan Archbishop of Manila (2011–2020)
  • Apostolic Administrator of Manila (2019–2020)
  • Cardinal-Priest of San Felice da Cantalice a Centocelle (2012–2020)
  • Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (2019–2022)
  • President of Caritas Internationalis (2015–2022)
Alma mater
Motto Dominus est
('It is the Lord', John 21:7)
Signature {{{signature_alt}}}
Coat of arms
Styles of
Luis Antonio Tagle
Coat of arms of Luis Antonio Tagle (cardinal).svg
Reference style His Eminence
Spoken style Your Eminence
Informal style Cardinal

Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle (born June 21, 1957) is a very important leader in the Catholic Church from the Philippines. He is currently a Pro-Prefect for a special section of the Dicastery for Evangelization since June 5, 2022. He also leads the Interdicasterial Commission for Consecrated Religious since December 8, 2019.

Before these roles, he was the 32nd Archbishop of Manila from 2011 to 2020. Cardinal Tagle is also a Cardinal-Bishop and holds other important positions. These include being the President of the Catholic Biblical Federation and Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Urbaniana University. He is known for his modern views within the Catholic Church.

Early Life and Education

Luis Antonio Tagle was born on June 21, 1957. He was the oldest child of Manuel Topacio Tagle and Milagros Gokim. His parents were devoted Catholics. His father was from the Tagalog group, and his mother was Chinese Filipino.

His grandfather, Florencio, was from Imus, Cavite. The Tagle family was part of the Principalía, which was an important group in the Philippines before the 1896 Philippine Revolution.

Tagle finished elementary and high school at Saint Andrew's School in Parañaque in 1973. Priests he knew encouraged him to join the Jesuit San José Seminary. This seminary sent him to the Ateneo de Manila University.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in pre-divinity from Ateneo in 1977. Then, he got a Master of Arts in theology from its Loyola School of Theology. Tagle later earned his Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Catholic University of America between 1987 and 1991. One of his professors, Joseph A. Komonchak, said Tagle was one of his best students.

Tagle can speak his native Tagalog language, English, and Italian very well. He can also read Spanish, French, and Latin.

Becoming a Priest

Tagle became a priest in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Imus on February 27, 1982. After his ordination, he worked in different roles. He was an associate pastor and a spiritual director. He also served as the rector of the diocesan seminary in Imus.

After studying in the United States, he returned to Imus. There, he became an Episcopal Vicar and a parish priest. He also taught theology at San Carlos Seminary and Divine Word Seminary.

Pope John Paul II chose Tagle to be part of the International Theological Commission. He served there from 1997 to 2002.

Bishop of Imus

Coat of arms of Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle as Bishop of Imus
Coat of Arms as Bishop of Imus

In 2001, Tagle was appointed Bishop of Imus on October 22. He was officially consecrated on December 12. During his ten years as Bishop of Imus, he lived a simple life. He did not own a car and often invited people in need to share a meal with him.

At a meeting of bishops in 2005, he talked about the shortage of priests in the Philippines. He questioned whether the Church was doing enough to support new priests. He also suggested that the Church might need to think about changes to help with the shortage of priests.

In 2008, at a big Catholic event in Quebec, Canada, he gave a speech about the importance of the Eucharist. Many people were deeply moved by his words.

Archbishop of Manila

Coat of arms of Luis Antonio Tagle
Cardinal Tagle's Coat of Arms as Archbishop of Manila
Manila Cathedral 2024-01-21
The Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, where Archbishop Tagle served in Manila
FvfManilaCathedral9954 03
Tagle seated on the cathedra of the Manila Cathedral, 2014

Pope Benedict XVI appointed Tagle as the 32nd Archbishop of Manila on October 13, 2011. He took over from Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales. Before starting his new role, Tagle visited the Holy Land in October 2011. He was officially installed as archbishop on December 12, 2011. This date was special because it was the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the tenth anniversary of his own consecration as a bishop.

In February 2012, Tagle attended a meeting in Rome about healing and renewal. He spoke about how important it is for the Church to be open and honest, especially when dealing with difficult situations. He said that the Church should be ready for media attention, as long as the reporting is fair and truthful.

He also spoke about the importance of recognizing women's rights. He emphasized their valuable role as mothers and wives, deserving of true love and respect. He took a balanced approach on some laws, choosing not to use harsh words against politicians who supported them.

Pope Benedict XVI also named Tagle as one of the leaders for a meeting of bishops on "New Evangelisation" in September 2012. He shared his ideas on how the Church should spread its message in modern times.

Tagle served as Archbishop of Manila until February 9, 2020, when he took on a new role in the Vatican.

Becoming a Cardinal

Cardinal Tagle at Luneta 2013 1
Tagle at the Million People March in Rizal Park

Pope Benedict XVI announced on October 24, 2012, that he would make Archbishop Tagle a Cardinal. Tagle was the seventh Filipino to become a cardinal in the Catholic Church. When he became a cardinal, he was one of the youngest. On December 1, 2012, he returned to the Philippines and led a special Mass. Important leaders like President Benigno Aquino III attended this Mass.

On January 31, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Tagle to be a member of important committees in the Vatican. These included committees for families and for people who travel or migrate.

Some news organizations even thought Tagle might be chosen as the next pope during the election in 2013, which eventually elected Pope Francis.

In March 2015, Tagle said that the Catholic Church needed to find new ways to talk about modern challenges and show mercy to everyone.

Pope Francis Arrival Villamor Airbase 3
Tagle with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III during Pope Francis's visit to the Philippines, January 2015

After Pope Francis released his important letter Laudato si' about caring for the environment, Tagle started a campaign in the Philippines. He collected signatures for a petition against global warming caused by pollution.

He also discussed family issues at a meeting of bishops. He said that every family's situation is different and that the Church should consider each case carefully. He also highlighted challenges like families being separated due to poverty.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte meets with Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle
Tagle with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang Palace in Manila, July 19, 2016

Cardinal Tagle is a member of several important groups in the Vatican. He is also the President of the Catholic Biblical Federation and was elected President of Caritas International, a large Catholic charity organization.

He has also been the Chairman for the Episcopal Commission on the Doctrine of Faith of the Philippines since 2003. Tagle teaches theology at San Carlos Seminary and Ateneo de Manila University.

Work in the Roman Curia

On December 8, 2019, Pope Francis named Tagle as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. This was a very important role, making him the second Asian to lead this group.

On May 1, 2020, Pope Francis gave him an even higher rank, promoting him to Cardinal-Bishop. He is the first Filipino to reach this rank.

In 2020 and 2021, Pope Francis continued to appoint him to other important Vatican groups. These included the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, and the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See.

In September 2020, Tagle tested positive for COVID-19 when he arrived in Manila. He was the first head of a Vatican department to test positive. He had no symptoms and recovered well after isolating.

Currently, Tagle is the Pro-Prefect for the Section of Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization. This new department was created on June 5, 2022, by Pope Francis. It combines two older Vatican offices. This new department is directly led by the Pope, with Tagle as one of his main assistants.

On February 15, 2024, Tagle received a special award called the Legion of Honour from the French Ambassador to the Holy See. This award recognized his important work.

Pope Francis also chose Tagle to be his special representative for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in the United States in July 2024. Tagle led the closing Mass for about 50,000 people.

Coat of Arms

Coat of arms of Luis Antonio Tagle (cardinal)
Coat of Arms of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle

Cardinal Tagle's coat of arms has special symbols that tell a story about his faith and journey. It has three main parts.

On the yellow side, you can see an open Bible with the Greek letters "Alpha" and "Omega." Next to it is an image of the Good Shepherd, who is carrying a lamb and holding a wooden staff. A net with five fish is also shown, representing his work as a "fisher of men."

On the blue side, there is a tall column with a special symbol for the Blessed Virgin Mary. This symbol reminds us of Our Lady of Pillar, who is the patroness of Tagle's home parish and diocese. The column is a specific type, like one found near his office in Rome.

The green bottom part of the shield has a carpenter's square and two white lilies. These symbols represent Saint Joseph, who was a carpenter and the foster father of Jesus.

Behind the shield, there is an archbishop's cross. On top is a red cardinal's hat with fifteen tassels on each side.

Cardinal Tagle's motto is Dominus Est, which means "It is the Lord!" This phrase comes from the Bible.

Awards and Honors

Cardinal Tagle has received many awards and honors for his service and leadership.

Orders

Academic Awards

He has received many honorary degrees from universities around the world, recognizing his contributions to education and theology. Some of these include:

  • Far Eastern University: Doctor of Humane Letters (2002)
  • San Beda College: Doctor of Humane Letters (2012)
  • De La Salle University – Dasmariñas: Doctor of Humane Letters (2013)
  • Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan: Doctor of Humane Letters (2013)
  • University of Santo Tomas: Doctor of Humane Letters (2013)
  • Holy Angel University: Doctor of Humane Letters (2013)
  • Fordham University: Doctor of Humane Letters (2014)
  • Australian Catholic University: Doctor of Humane Letters (2014)
  • The Catholic University of America: Doctor of Theology (2014)
  • Catholic Theological Union: Doctor of Theology (2015)
  • La Salle University: Doctor of Humane Letters (2015)
  • Ateneo De Manila University: Doctor of Philosophy (2024)

Other Awards

  • Outstanding Manilan (2013)
  • Fides Award (2015)
  • Brother Teliow Fackeldey, FSC Presidential Medal Award for Outstanding Integrity, Merit and Public Service (2015)
  • Ford Family Notre Dame Award for Human Development and Solidarity (2017)
  • Rotary Peace Award (2018)
  • Father Hecker Award for Excellence in Evangelization (2020)
  • Catholic Faith Network Religious Leader Award (2024)

Media Appearances

Cardinal Tagle is also known for his work in media. He hosts two Catholic television programs called The Word Exposed and The Faith Exposed. These shows are produced by the Jesuit Communications Foundation, which also manages his official social media pages.

He is also a presenter for Kape't Pandasal ("Coffee and Prayer"), an early morning religious show. This program is broadcast on TV Maria and DepEd ALS, and can also be streamed on YouTube.

Images for kids

His Eminence Luis Antonio Tagle OESSH STD
Pro-Prefect for the Section of First Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization
Cardinal Tagle in 2016
Church Catholic Church
Province Manila
See Archdiocese of Manila
Appointed June 5, 2022
Other posts
  • Cardinal-Bishop of San Felice da Cantalice a Centocelle (2020–)
  • President of the Interdicasterial Commission for Consecrated Religious (2019–)
  • Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Urbaniana University (2019–)
  • President of the Catholic Biblical Federation (2015–)
Orders
Ordination February 27, 1982
Consecration December 12, 2001
by Jaime Lachica Sin
Created Cardinal November 24, 2012
Rank
Personal details
Birth name Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle
Born (1957-06-21) June 21, 1957 (age 67)
Imus, Cavite, Philippines
Residence Pontificio Collegio Filippino, Rome, Italy
Occupation Prelate (cardinal)
Previous post
  • Bishop of Imus (2001–2011)
  • Metropolitan Archbishop of Manila (2011–2020)
  • Apostolic Administrator of Manila (2019–2020)
  • Cardinal-Priest of San Felice da Cantalice a Centocelle (2012–2020)
  • Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (2019–2022)
  • President of Caritas Internationalis (2015–2022)
Alma mater
Motto Dominus est
('It is the Lord', John 21:7)
Signature {{{signature_alt}}}
Coat of arms
Styles of
Luis Antonio Tagle
Coat of arms of Luis Antonio Tagle (cardinal).svg
Reference style His Eminence
Spoken style Your Eminence
Informal style Cardinal

Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle (/ˈtɑːɡl/ TAH-glay; Tagalog: [lʊˈwis ɐnˈtonɪo 'taɡlɛ]; born June 21, 1957) is a Filipino prelate of the Catholic Church currently serving as the Pro-Prefect for the Section of First Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization (formerly the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples) since June 5, 2022, and as the President of Interdicasterial Commission for Consecrated Religious since December 8, 2019. He was the 32nd Archbishop of Manila from 2011 to 2020. Tagle is the Cardinal-Bishop of San Felice da Cantalice a Centocelle (pro hac vice) and also serves as the President of the Catholic Biblical Federation, Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Urbaniana University, and as a member of various departments and dicasteries in the Roman Curia.

Early life and studies

Tagle was born on June 21, 1957, the eldest child of devout Catholic parents, Manuel Topacio Tagle, an ethnic Tagalog and his Chinese Filipino wife, Milagros Gokim, who previously worked for Equitable PCI Bank.

Tagle's paternal grandfather, Florencio, came from Imus, Cavite; the Tagle family were from the Spanish, lowland Christian aristocracy known as the Principalía, which were the elite prior to the 1896 Philippine Revolution. Florencio was injured by a bomb explosion during the Second World War; Tagle's grandmother made a living by running a local diner.

After completing elementary and high school at Saint Andrew's School in Parañaque, Rizal in 1973, he was influenced by priest friends to enter the Jesuit San José Seminary, which sent him to the Jesuit Ateneo de Manila University.

Tagle earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in pre-divinity from Ateneo in 1977 and then a Master of Arts in theology at its Loyola School of Theology. Tagle earned his Doctorate in Sacred Theology at the Catholic University of America from 1987 to 1991. He wrote his dissertation under the direction of Joseph A. Komonchak on "Episcopal Collegiality in the Teaching and Practice of Paul VI". Tagle also attended doctrinal courses at the Institute of Pope Paul VI University. In Komonchak's estimation, Tagle was "one of the best students I had in over 40 years of teaching" and "could have become the best theologian in the Philippines, or even in all of Asia" had he not been appointed bishop. Tagle has received honorary degrees from Catholic Theological Union and La Salle University. Tagle is fluent in speaking his native Tagalog language, as well as the English and Italian languages. He is also proficient in reading Spanish, French, and Latin.

Priesthood

Tagle was ordained in the Diocese of Imus on February 27, 1982. After ordination, he held the following positions: associate pastor of San Agustín Parish – Méndez-Núñez, Cavite (1982–1984), spiritual director (1982–1983) and later rector (1983–1985) of the diocesan seminary of Imus. After studies in the United States from 1985 to 1992, he returned to Imus and was Episcopal Vicar for Religious (1993–1995) and parish priest and rector (1998–2001) of Nuestra Señora del Pilar Cathedral-Parish. He also taught theology at San Carlos Seminary (1982–1985) and Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay.

Pope John Paul II appointed Tagle to the International Theological Commission, where he served from 1997 to 2002 under its President, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. From 1995 to 2001, he was a member of the editorial board of the "History of Vatican II" project.

Bishop of Imus

Coat of arms of Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle as Bishop of Imus
Coat of Arms as Bishop of Imus

In 2001, Tagle was appointed Bishop of Imus on October 22 and consecrated on December 12 after previously serving as parish priest of the Cathedral-parish of Imus. During his ten years in Imus, he made a point of living simply, owned no car, and invited the destitute to join him for a meal. At the first gathering of bishops under Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, he spoke from the floor about the inadequacy of the number of priests in the Philippines.

To the concept that priestly vocation are a gift from God he countered: "we should also ask whether the Church is a good steward of the gift." He told a news conference that "The first Sunday after my ordination as a priest, I said nine Masses, and that is regular in the Philippines." Discussing priestly celibacy, Cardinal Angelo Scola, the synod moderator, expressed reservations about modifications to the Church's requirement of celibacy for the priesthood. In response, Tagle suggested that the Church should consider such a change to combat the shortage of priests.

At the 2008 International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec, Canada, he delivered a talk on the importance of the Eucharist that, by one report, moved the audience to tears.

Archbishop of Manila

Coat of arms of Luis Antonio Tagle
Cardinal Tagle's Coat of Arms as Archbishop of Manila
Manila Cathedral 2024-01-21
The Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, metropolitan seat of Archbishop Tagle and the See of Manila, Philippines
FvfManilaCathedral9954 03
Tagle seated on the cathedra of the Manila Cathedral, 2014

Pope Benedict XVI appointed Tagle the 32nd Archbishop of Manila on October 13, 2011, to succeed Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales. According to Catalino Arévalo, the first Asian member of the Vatican's International Theological Commission, Tagle's appointment was promoted by the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Edward Joseph Adams and by Rosales, but some objections were submitted to the Congregation for Bishops, which caused some delay in processing his appointment. Prior to his installation, Tagle made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in October 2011. He was installed as archbishop on December 12, 2011, the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the tenth anniversary of his episcopal consecration. He received the pallium, the symbol of his authority as a metropolitan archbishop, from Pope Benedict XVI on June 29, 2012, in Rome. In February 2012, Tagle attended the Symposium for Healing and Renewal at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

Il cardinale Luis Antonio Tagle accanto all'icona di S. Cesario di G. Guida, Cattedrale di Manila
Luis Antonio Tagle with the icon of St. Caesarius of Terracina by Giovanni Guida, Baptistery of Saint John the Baptist, Manila Cathedral, 2016

On June 12, 2012, Tagle was appointed a member of the Congregation for Catholic Education for a five-year renewable term. That same day, Tagle spoke at the 50th International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin, Ireland. He said: "As we challenge them to be fair and truthful in whatever they are reporting, the Church should also be prepared to be scrutinised by media, provided the norms of fairness and truthfulness are applied to all, especially the victims." He decried the tendency of church officials to resent negative media coverage even when accurate, while noting he had witnessed some media coverage in Asia that is tainted by "an anti-Christian sentiment." He also mentioned the various issues which distinguish the experience of the Church in Ireland and similar cases in Asia.

He advocated for the recognition of women's rights by recognizing their valued role as mothers and wives, deserving of genuine love and respect as reflections of God and a gift to mankind. He took a more moderate stance on the legislation than other Philippine bishops, refusing to threaten politicians who supported the legislation with excommunication or to have posters criticizing its supporters as "Team Death" distributed in Manila's parishes.

Benedict XVI named Tagle as one of the Synod Fathers for the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelisation on September 18, 2012. In his intervention at that synod, he outlined how he believed the church should approach the process of evangelization.

Tagle served as archbishop of Manila until he assumed the position as Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples on February 9, 2020. While awaiting for the date of assuming his new position, he served as the apostolic administrator of the metropolitan see on his last two months as Archbishop of Manila from December 8, 2019 to February 9, 2020. Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo temporarily headed the Archdiocese as apostolic administrator from February 9, 2020. On March 25, 2021, Pope Francis named Capiz Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula to succeed Tagle as Archbishop of Manila. Advincula was then installed as Tagle's successor on June 24, 2021.

Cardinal

Pope Benedict XVI announced he was elevating Archbishop Tagle to the College of Cardinals on October 24, 2012. Tagle himself had been notified the night before. At that consistory, he was assigned the titular church of San Felice da Cantalice a Centocelle. Tagle was the seventh Filipino to be made a cardinal of the Catholic Church. When he became a cardinal he was the second youngest one. On December 1, 2012, upon his return to the Philippines, he presided at a thanksgiving Mass at the San Fernando de Dilao Church in Paco, Manila, which President Benigno Aquino III, Vice-President Jejomar Binay, and Mayor Alfredo Lim of Manila attended.

Cardinal Tagle at Luneta 2013 1
Tagle at the Million People March in Rizal Park

On January 31, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Tagle to serve as a member of the Presidential Committee of the Pontifical Council for the Family and the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants.

Tagle was mentioned by some news organizations as a possible candidate for election as pope during the papal conclave that elected Pope Francis in 2013.

Tagle led the National Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at the San Fernando de Dilao Church on June 8, 2013.

In a March 2015 interview, Tagle said the Catholic Church needed to develop a new language for addressing homosexuals, unwed mothers, and divorced and remarried Catholics because "what constituted in the past an acceptable way of showing mercy" changes and needs to be re-imagined.

Pope Francis Arrival Villamor Airbase 3
Tagle at Pope Francis' arrival in Philippines with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, January 2015

Following the publication of Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato si', Tagle launched a campaign in the Philippines to collect signatures for a petition against anthropogenic global warming caused by carbon dioxide emissions.

As the Synod on the Family opened public discussion of allowing divorced and remarried Catholics to receive communion, Tagle said he was open to hearing arguments on the question. He said: "We have a principle we have to believe in. But the openness comes on pastoral judgments you have to make in concrete situations, because no two cases are alike." As the 2014 session of the synod approached he said he hoped that "the pastoral care of divorced and civilly remarried couples is debated openly and with good will," but emphasized other challenges drawn from his Philippine experience, especially the separation of married couples from one another and their children caused by poverty and migration.

In 2015, he said that "Every situation for those who are divorced and remarried is quite unique. To have a general rule might be counterproductive in the end. ...We cannot give one formula for all."

President Rodrigo R. Duterte meets with Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle
Tagle with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang Palace in Manila, July 19, 2016

Tagle is a member of the Congregation for Catholic Education, Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Pontifical Council for the Family, Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Pontifical Council for the Laity, and XIII Ordinary Council of the Secretariat General of the Synod of Bishops. On July 11, 2015, he was made a member of the Pontifical Council 'Cor Unum'. He was also confirmed by Pope Francis as President of the Catholic Biblical Federation on March 5, 2015. On May 14, 2015, he was elected President of Caritas International replacing Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga. Ross Douthat criticized Tagle's appointment in the publication First Things.

Tagle has been Chairman for the Episcopal Commission on the Doctrine of Faith of the Philippines since 2003. Tagle is the Professor of Dogmatic Synthesis at the Graduate School of Theology of San Carlos Seminary, the archdiocesan major seminary of Manila, and an Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at the Loyola School of Theology of Ateneo de Manila University. He also taught at the school of theology of the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay.

Roman Curia

On November 30, 2013, Tagle was named member of the Congregation for Catholic Education. He was then named member of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life on March 29, 2014.

Pope Francis named Tagle Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples on December 8, 2019. Tagle is the second Asian to head that Congregation, following Cardinal Ivan Dias, who was prefect from 2006 to 2011. He is the second Filipino cardinal to lead a congregation of the Roman Curia after Jose Tomas Sanchez, who headed the Congregation for the Clergy from 1991 to 1996. In March 2020, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said the Pope had removed Tagle from his post in Manila for channeling church funds to the President's political opponents. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and many individual Philippine prelates denounced Duterte's charge.

Pope Francis promoted him to highest rank of cardinal, Cardinal-Bishop, on May 1, 2020; he is the first Filipino to be included in that rank of the College of Cardinals, and he was promoted Cardinal-Bishop but was not appointed to a suburbicarian see just like Cardinals Parolin, Sandri, Ouelet and Filoni, a break with tradition and Canon Law Section 350.

On June 19, 2020, the Pope named him member of the Pontifical Council for the Legislative Texts. On July 8, 2020, the Pope named him member of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.

On September 10, 2020, Tagle tested positive for COVID-19 upon his arrival in Manila. He was the first head of a Vatican dicastery, as well as the fifth Filipino bishop, to test positive for COVID-19. He had tested negative for the virus in Rome on September 7. He was asymptomatic and was in isolation. Tagle remained asymptomatic and ended his quarantine on September 23. On September 21, 2020, he was named member of the Cardinalial Commission of the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR).

On February 22, 2021, Tagle was appointed by Pope Francis as a new member of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See. On June 9, 2021, the pope named him member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. On June 1, 2022, the pope named him member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

Currently, Tagle was appointed as the Pro-prefect for the Section of Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization. Due to the enforcement of the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium on June 05, 2022, many changes have been made to the Roman Curia. The new Dicastery of Evangelization was formed as a merger of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization. According to the new apostolic constitution, this new dicastery is directly headed by the Supreme Pontiff as its Prefect, while being assisted with two pro-prefects, one of which is Tagle.

Tagle was inducted to the Legion of Honour at Villa Bonaparte on February 15, 2024, by French Ambassador to the Holy See Florence Mangin, who gave him the insignia for the rank of “Officer”. Tagle received the award in the presence of Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See Myla Grace Ragenia C. Macahilig, Gerard Timoner III, Nathaniel Imperial and Fr. Gregory Ramon Gaston.

Pope Francis appointed Tagle as his special envoy to the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, held from July 17–24, 2024. He celebrated the closing Mass in Lucas Oil Stadium with approximately 50,000 people were in attendance.

Coat of arms

Coat of arms of Luis Antonio Tagle (cardinal)
Coat of Arms of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle

The updated coat of arms of Tagle retained all the essential elements found in the sinister side of his coat of arms as Archbishop of Manila. Now that he is no longer the incumbent Ordinary, the coat of arms of the Archdiocese is no longer depicted.

The coat of arms has adopted a different marshalling (division) in order to arrange the achievements in the shield (elements) in a heraldically correct manner.

The coat of arms is parted tierced (in three parts) per pall reversed.

In the yellow gold (Or) dexter side, one can find an open Bible inscribed with the Greek letters "Alpha" and "Omega ", side by side with an image of the Good Shepherd carrying a lamb upon his shoulders and holding a wooden staff in his right hand. A net is suspended from his right arm, its dexter (right) end spreading wide downwards. Five fishes are entangled in the net.

From the base of the blue (Azure) sinister side, a Corinthian pillar rises. It is surmounted by the white (Argent) monogram of the Blessed Virgin Mary, crowned and encircled by twelve golden stars. The symbol refers to Our Lady of Pillar, the Patroness of the home parish and diocese of origin of Tagle. The corinthian column is used instead of the ionic column in his previous coat of arms. This corinthian column is the type of column on which the image of the Blessed Virgin in Piazza Spagna, Rome stands. The column is right in front of the Tagle's Office as Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

The triangular green (Vert) base of the shield is charged with a yellow gold (Or) carpenter's square superimposed on two white (Argent) lilies with stalk and leaves.

Behind the shield stands an archbishop's cross. Both are surmounted by a red (Gules) galero, with fifteen red (Gules) tassels hanging at both side of the cardinalatial headgear, arranged in 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Expressed in the language of heraldry, the coat of arms is blasoned as follows:

Tierced per pall reversed Or, Azure and Vert. In dexter side, arranged in fess, an open Bible inscribed with the Greek letters Α and Ω Sable, and an image of the Good Shepherd Proper carrying a sheep upon his shoulders and holding a wooden staff Proper in his dexter hand, a net Sable, sinister chief point suspended from the dexter arm of the Good Shepherd and the dexter fesse point to the base, five fishes Sable entangled in the net. In base, a Carpenter's square Or superimposed on two lilies stalked and leaved, all of the fifth.

Behind the shield is an archepiscopal cross. Both are surmounted by a galero with fifteen tassels pendant from both sides in 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, all Gules.

Tagle's motto is taken from the John 21:7, Dominus Est ("It is the Lord!").

Distinctions

Orders

Academic

  • Far Eastern University: Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa (April 2002)
  • San Beda College: Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa (March 30, 2012)
  • De La Salle University – Dasmariñas: Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa (June 19, 2013)
  • Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan: Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa (August 1, 2013)
  • University of Santo Tomas: Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa (August 13, 2013)
  • Holy Angel University: Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa (August 16, 2013)
  • Fordham University: Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa (March 28, 2014)
  • Australian Catholic University: Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa (May 17, 2014)
  • The Catholic University of America: Doctor of Theology honoris causa (May 17, 2014)
  • Catholic Theological Union: Doctor of Theology honoris causa (May 14, 2015)
  • La Salle University: Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa (September 18, 2015)
  • Ateneo De Manila University: Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa (June 21, 2024)

Awards

  • Outstanding Manilan 2013
  • Fides Award 2015
  • Brother Teliow Fackeldey, FSC Presidential Medal Award for Outstanding Integrity, Merit and Public Service 2015
  • Ford Family Notre Dame Award for Human Development and Solidarity 2017
  • Rotary Peace Award 2018
  • Father Hecker Award for Excellence in Evangelization 2020
  • Catholic Faith Network Religious Leader Award 2024

Media

Since after becoming Bishop of Imus, later as Archbishop of Manila, and further as a Vatican pro-prefect, Tagle continues to perform as a host of The Word Exposed and The Faith Exposed, both Catholic television programs produced by the Jesuit Communications Foundation, which also maintains official social media accounts for him. He is also the Tuesday presenter of Kape't Pandasal ("Coffee and Prayer", a pun on the Filipino term kape't pandesal or "coffee and salted bread"), an early morning religious inspirational program partly produced by the same media arm, broadcast on TV Maria, DepEd ALS, and previously on ABS-CBN, and now streaming in YouTube.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Luis Antonio Tagle para niños

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Luis Antonio Tagle Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.