Netizens react to new pope, reflect on Tagle’s missed chance
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, center, in this file photo. AP
MANILA, Philippines — With American Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost elected as the new pope, netizens took to social media to express a mix of disappointment, humor, and reflection over the fact that Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle was not chosen for the papacy.
Prevost, who assumed the name Pope Leo XIV, was selected by the College of Cardinals as the 267th Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.
Tagle, a former Manila archbishop and current pro-prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization, was widely regarded as papabile, or a likely successor to the papacy. Many Filipinos online had voiced support for him, with some calling him the Internet’s favorite candidate.
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“Happy that we have a new pope, but I can’t shrug off the what-ifs had Tagle won the title,” user @xtiancuaderno posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Others took a more pragmatic view.
“I guess one of the good things about Tagle not being elected is he can continue his programs like The Word Exposed,” said @cillobyte. “I’m not sure if he can continue if he got elected lol (or can he?)”
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Some users injected humor into the conversation.
“Hay nako Cardinal Tagle, ang problema kasi sa’yo wala kang pagkukusa. Dapat pumunta ka na lang sa balcony kahit ’di ka pa tinatawag,” joked @selrahc_19, referencing the traditional appearance of a newly elected pope.
A more critical take came from @beananaeb, who wrote: “These oh-so-proud Filipinos were just rooting for Tagle so they’d have something to brag about. And now that it didn’t happen, they’re acting disappointed or something. And really, what difference would it make if the pope isn’t Filipino anyway?”
Others responded with faith and perspective.
“As a Filipino, the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as pope was not the result I expected,” posted @NoliEala. “But my faith tells me Pope Leo XIV is God’s divine will. I remain proud and grateful that a Filipino cardinal, Luis Tagle, was strongly considered to be St. Peter’s successor. AMDG.”
User @sofnev2015 criticized what they called an overzealous social media campaign.
“Hindi nadadaan sa socmed ingay iyang election ng pope,” the user wrote. “Nakakahiya pa nga ’yung ibang group na todo post sa qualifications ni Tagle at chance maging pope. Itong naging pope, low profile lang.”
For Babam Garcia, choosing a “pope is not a contest or competition.”
“It is about asking for God’s grace and trusting in Him that whoever will be the new pope will lead His followers well. No true Catholic will be disappointed with the outcome,” said Garcia on Facebook. “We trust in His guidance of His conclave. We pray for the pope!”
In an earlier statement, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines had urged the faithful to avoid online campaigning and instead offer prayers for Tagle and all the cardinals involved in the papal election.
“The faithful should respect the independence of the Catholic cardinals in electing Pope Francis’ successor,” the CBCP said.
Pope Francis died on April 21 from complications of a stroke. He was 88. /dam
