Tagle would be an interesting choice but an unlikely one given his ties to the Bologna School.
He might be willing to take the name Pope John, however.
Tagle is in my opinion, the most charismatic and interesting person in the entire college. I was literally over the moon when he was elevated to the cardinalate at the surprise consistory late last year, think it was Novemeber or such. He had been on my radar for a long time beforehand as a shining light of hope for the church in Asia.
He has a very likeable, endearing yet powerful personality. He’s media savvy and then some. He did a speech at one of the Eucharistic Congresses that moved the audience to tears. He also is reputed to have a striking humility, there are various stories about him riding a bicycle to mass.
I don’t think that the association with the Bologna school would necessarily stand against him. The chapter in volume 4 that he wrote did not, according to Vatican sources, espouse the view that Vatican II was a break in continuity. It was praised in some quarters for its defence of Pope Paul VI’s conduct at critical moments in the council, steadying it through so too speak to its conclusion. Tagle even used Benedict - Ratzinger back then - as one of his sources.
Tagle has the full support, according to John Allen, of the
very papabile Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Canada. Ouellet is a pastoral conservative with many affinities in theology to Pope Benedict and is Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. That is an indispensable ally for Tagle, since Ouellet is one of the primary contenders for the papacy and has immense “clout” at the Vatican - he is a protege of Benedict and a close advisor.
Tagle was likewise made a cardinal by Benedict XVI, which will not be forgotten either.
The only problem with his
papabili status might be the fact that he was only made a cardinal a few months ago. He is isn’t familiar with the ways of the curia yet and his youth - at 55 the second youngest cardinal - might also be a factor. The fact that Benedict has resigned due to old age might help him considerably, however most analysts still seem to think that 55 would be too young. He would be younger even than Pope John Paul II who was 58 when elected.
It depends whether they want another long, possibly 25 or more, year pontificate. The possibility of resignation has now been put in place by Benedict but it would still be a radical decision to go with Tagle - charismatic, charming, very young in papal terms, from the Third World…It would be a
radical choice for the conclave.
He also has some very, very interesting ideas that galvanised the bishops at the recent Bishops Conference in the Vatican. They were gripped as he outlined his ideas for a “humbler, quieter church” that is not afraid to admit its mistakes, sympathises more with peoples problems and doesn’t claim to have all the answers but rather “listens”. He was one of the strongest people in the hierarchy to speak out about the child abuse scandal. That shows guts too, real guts.
He said this too an interviewer after the Conference:
“The Church of Asia is often a minority Church, like John the Baptist crying in the wilderness……even in the Philippines, if the Church is a majority, I realise that the sufferings of people and the difficult questions they ask are an invitation to be first in solidarity with them, not to pretend we have all the solutions….they can resonate and see the concrete face of God in a Church that can be silent with them, as confused as they are….it becomes a home for them……
I believe the Church should contribute in the public square but we in Asia are very particular about the mode……so you my be saying the right things but people will not listen if the manner by which you communicate reminds them of a triumphalistic, know-it-all institution……I know that in some parts of Asia the relative silence, calmness of the Church is interpreted as timidity, but I say no – it makes the Church more credible….”
Here is the video of him receiving the red hat, he was very emotional:
youtube.com/watch?v=t97OubxgdPs
