A Missionary Shepherd

By Alessandro Gisotti

In the Sistine Chapel, during the Conclave, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost sat next to each other. They met again, one week after Pope Leo XIV’s election. The American-Peruvian Cardinal and the Filipino Cardinal have known each other for many years and, over the past two, have worked together closely as heads of their respective Dicasteries — Bishops and Evangelization. In an interview with Vatican News, Cardinal Tagle offered a personal portrait of the new Pope, recounting the spiritual experience of the Conclave and reflecting on Pope Francis’ legacy. The following is an excerpt from the interview.

In the Sistine Chapel, you were sitting next to Cardinal Prevost. How did he react when the 2/3 majority vote was reached?

His reaction alternated between smiling and breathing deeply. It was holy resignation and holy fear combined. I silently prayed for him. The moment he got the required number of votes, a thunderous applause erupted, (much like at the election of Pope Francis). The Cardinals expressed joy and gratitude for their brother, Cardinal Prevost. But it was also an intimate moment between Jesus and him, which we could not enter nor disturb. I said to myself, “Let holy silence envelop Jesus and Peter.”

After a son of St Ignatius, we have a son of St Augustine. What do you think it means that the Church has one Pontiff after another who belonged to a major religious order, an Augustinian after a Jesuit?

St Augustine and St Ignatius had many things in common. They both had worldly careers and experienced a restlessness that led to adventurous pursuits. Then, at the time appointed by God, they found in Jesus what their hearts desired, “Beauty ever ancient, ever new,” “Eternal Lord of all things.” The Augustinian and Ignatian “schools” arise from a common ground of God’s graciousness and mercy which frees the heart to love, serve and go on mission. While keeping his Augustinian spirit, Pope Leo will also echo the Ignatian spirit of Pope Francis. I believe the whole Church — and indeed the whole of humanity — will benefit from their gifts. After all, St Augustine and St Ignatius (and all the saints) are treasures of the whole Church.

Cardinal Prevost was a missionary bishop. He was born and raised in the United States, but formed as a priest and pastor in Peru. Some have said he is the “Pope of two worlds.” From your perspective in Asia, how do people view such a Pope?

Without denying the primacy of grace in the ministry of Pope Leo, I believe that his human, cultural, religious and missionary background will give a unique face to his ministry. But this is true of all Popes. The Petrine ministry of strengthening brothers and sisters in the faith in Jesus, the Son of the living God, remains the same — but each Pope lives and exercises it through his unique humanity. Pope Leo’s multi-continental and multi-cultural background will surely help him in his ministry and benefit the Church. The people of Asia love the Pope as Pope, whichever country he comes from. He is loved not only by Catholics, but also by other Christians and followers of non-Christian religions.

For the full interview please visit:

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/tagle-leo-xiv-a-missionary-shepherd-who-leads- by-listening.html