WHILE Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is widely seen as a strong contender to succeed Pope Francis, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has advised the faithful to refrain from campaigning for him and instead focus on prayer.
Reverend Father Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs, reminded the public that the choice of the next pope rests solely with the cardinal electors and must be free from public influence.
“It’s not wise for the public to promote Cardinal Tagle as the next Pope,” Secillano said in an interview with Radio Veritas on Wednesday.
“Doing so may create the impression that the conclave is being influenced by external pressure.”
He emphasized that prayers are more appropriate than campaigns. “The least we can do is pray for Cardinal Tagle and the other cardinal electors,” he added.
Pope Francis passed away on Monday at the age of 88 due to complications from a stroke, according to the Vatican.
There are currently 135 cardinal electors eligible to vote in the upcoming papal conclave. Among them are three Filipinos: Cardinal Tagle, former Archbishop of Manila and current member of the Roman Curia; CBCP President and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David; and Manila Archbishop Jose Advincula.
