World Church · October 12, 2026
Also published in Norsk
Cardinal Tagle Elected as New Dean of the College of Cardinals
Cardinal Tagle has been appointed as the new Dean of the College of Cardinals. The announcement was made by the Holy See Press Office on October 9, following an election held by the cardinal bishops on October 8.
Cardinal Tagle, who is 69 years old and serves as the Acting Prefect of the Dicastery for the Evangelization, is the first Asian cardinal to hold this position. He will lead the Diocese of Ostia and maintain his titular bishopric of the Diocese of Albano.
He succeeds Cardinal Re, who stepped down from the role at the age of 92 after nearly seven years of leadership. Cardinal Re, who retains the titular bishopric of the Diocese of Sabina Poggio Mirteto, has been granted the title of Dean Emeritus of the College of Cardinals.
The position of Dean was reformed by Pope Francis in a 2019 apostolic letter. The reform ended the lifelong nature of the appointment, establishing a five year term with a limit of one reelection. This change was implemented because the number of cardinals increased and the duties of the Dean became more burdensome. The election process follows Article 352, paragraph 2 of the Code of Canon Law.
Cardinal Re had previously succeeded Cardinal Sodano in 2020 and was confirmed for a second term in 2025. He performed the duties of the Dean during the papal election in March 2013 because Cardinal Sodano was over 80 years old. In 2025, Cardinal Re presided over the funeral mass for Pope Bergoglio on April 26 and the mass before the papal election conclave on May 7. Pope Leo XIV was elected on May 8 of that year.
As Dean, Cardinal Tagle will act as the first among equals, coordinating the activities of the cardinals rather than exercising top down authority. His primary responsibilities include convening the papal election conclave during a vacancy of the Apostolic See and presiding over the conclave if he is under 80 years old.