Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, S.Th.D., Pro-Prefect of the Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches within the Dicastery for Evangelization, was elected as the new Dean of the College of Cardinals after Pope Leo XIV approved his election on October 9, 2026.
According to Vatican News, the appointment followed the Pope’s acceptance of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re’s resignation from the office.
Cardinal Re, who served as Dean since 2020, will retain the title of Dean Emeritus.
Pope Francis had previously extended his approval of Re’s election in January 2025, according to the Holy See Press Office.
Cardinal Tagle was elected by the cardinals belonging to the Order of Bishops, with the election subject to papal approval under the Canon Law.
As Dean of the College of Cardinals, he will assume the title associated with the Suburbicarian Church of Ostia while retaining his existing title associated with the Suburbicarian Church of Albano.
Re, meanwhile, retains his title associated with the Suburbicarian Church of Sabina-Poggio Mirteto.
Cardinal Tagle, 69, currently serves as Pro-prefect of the Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches of the Dicastery for Evangelization. He previously served as Archbishop of Manila and was created a Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.
The Dean presides over the College of Cardinals but does not exercise governing authority over the other cardinals and responsible during a vacancy of the Apostolic See, including duties connected to preparations for the election of a new pope.
Under Canon 352 of the Code of Canon Law, the dean is considered first among equals.
