COLUMNIST: WITH DUE RESPECT: Why Tagle called to work 24/7 in Vatican

I felicitate His Eminence, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, for having been named prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, in addition to his current post as president of Caritas International. This elevates him to the Cabinet of the Pope. Under Vatican protocol, he is regarded as one of the top five among the 120 cardinals of the Church. Holders of this post are nicknamed “Red Pope” to show the vastness and delicacy of their work.

After presiding at the Mass at the Manila Cathedral last Dec. 9, he was given a thunderous standing ovation by the faithful (including Ambassador Tita de Villa and me). Emotional and teary, he was torn between his love for the Archdiocese of Manila and his vow of obedience to the Church.

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He told me during the private lunch thereafter that he would probably leave in February 2020 to work full-time in the Vatican. I replied that by calling him to be by his side 24/7, the Pope is preparing him to be the next pontiff.

Godspeed to the Papal Nuncio, Gabriele Giordano Caccia, who concelebrated the Mass. He will leave on Dec. 22 to assume his new posting in the United Nations.

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