Fil-Am Catholics pin hopes on a Tagle papacy

Americans woke up to very sad news on Easter Monday with the passing of Pope Francis.

Barely a day after delivering the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” papal blessing on Easter Sunday while being wheeled to the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, the beloved Pope passed away following what the Vatican announced was a cerebral stroke. Pope Francis was 88 years old.

The Pope’s death could have serious implications for the lives of American Catholics. Roughly twenty percent of American adults, about 53 million, identify as Catholics, making the Catholic Church the largest single religious denomination in the United States. Of this number, an estimated three million are Filipinos, or about 65 percent of the 4.6 million Fil-Am population in the United States.

During his papacy, Pope Francis helped institute significant changes that influenced the Catholic Church in the United States. He championed social justice, advocating for immigration reform, poverty alleviation and climate action. His commitment to greater inclusion led to a more welcoming approach for LGBTQ+ Catholics and divorced individuals. He also opened pathways for remarried Catholics to receive Communion.

Pope Francis reshaped Church leadership by appointing more diverse bishops and cardinals, fostering a global and inclusive perspective within the Church. There is genuine concern among progressive and mainstream American Catholics whether the reformist agenda the late Pope espoused will continue.

The next papal conclave to elect the next pope is scheduled to take place 15 days after the late Pope’s burial and will likely start between 6 May and 11 May. Among the favorites to succeed the late Pope is Cardinal Luis Antonio “Chito” Tagle, the former Archbishop of Manila.

Known as the “Asian Francis,” Tagle shares many qualities with Pope Francis, such as his pastoral approach, humility and focus on inclusivity. His leadership style emphasizes reaching out to marginalized communities and engaging with everyday believers, which resonates with the progressive direction set by Pope Francis.

Tagle's global influence grew significantly when the late Pope appointed him Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in 2019. The job oversees missionary work worldwide, giving him a platform to shape the Church's future in regions where Catholicism is still developing, such as Asia and Africa, and in areas like the United States, where Catholic outreach and missionary activities, particularly in immigrant communities, are being stepped up in support of local dioceses.

Like many immigrant communities, Fil-Am Catholics have faced challenges in gaining full recognition within the broader Catholic Church. In places like Los Angeles, where Mass is celebrated in over 50 languages, Filipino Catholics have followed the lead of Latino Catholics in advocating for more representation and support within the Church.

Filipino religious practices, shaped by centuries of Spanish and American influence, continue to play a significant role in Fil-Am civic engagement and social networks. Fil-Am Catholics have built strong faith communities, thereby contributing to parish life. This influence can be seen in the growing number of Filipino priests and religious workers (deacons, sisters, brothers, catechists, etc.) and religious events like Simbang Gabi and the integration of Filipino traditions into mainstream Catholic worship.

A Tagle papacy could significantly impact Fil-Am Catholics by increasing their visibility within the global Church. His background as a Filipino and his deep connection to Asian Catholicism could help bring greater recognition to Fil-Am Catholics, who have historically sought more representation in US dioceses.

When the white smoke finally billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in May, Fil-Am Catholics will be praying hard, as all Filipino Catholics are expected to do, that the next Pope will be from the Philippines.