Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has been appointed to assist in the preparations for the forthcoming papal conclave, alongside Cardinals Dominique Mamberti and Reinhard Marx, according to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
The CBCP news said the three cardinals will support the camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, in accordance with the provisions of Universi Dominici Gregis, the Apostolic Constitution governing the election of a pope.
The conclave is scheduled to commence on May 7, 2025 following further general congregations in the coming days.
The three cardinals were selected by lottery to form part of the particular congregation, tasked with addressing ordinary matters during the sede vacante.
Their service extends for three full days, after which new assistants will be chosen by another lottery, if necessary, the CBCP added.
Their appointment was announced during the fifth general congregation on 28 April 2025, attended by more than 180 cardinals.
Deliberations focused on the Church’s pastoral mission, interreligious dialogue, responses to abuse, and the essential qualities required of the next Supreme Pontiff.
Aside from Tagle, two other Filipino cardinals are currently eligible to enter the conclave, namely Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David.
Meanwhile, Angelo Becciu, an Italian cardinal convicted of embezzlement and stripped of his privileges by Pope Francis, confirmed Tuesday he will not take part in the conclave to elect a new Catholic leader.
In a statement from his lawyer, Becciu said he would abide by the late pontiff’s will, ending days of speculation on whether he would join other cardinal electors in the Sistine Chapel on May 7.
“I have decided to obey, as I have always done, the will of Pope Francis not to enter into conclave,” Becciu said, while continuing to protest his innocence.
The 76-year-old said he decided to take a step back “having at heart the good of the Church” and “to contribute to the communion and serenity of the Conclave.” With AFP
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Cardinal Tagle to assist in Conclave preps—CBCP.”