Pat Cuadros

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is the new Dean of the College of Cardinals. Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re as Dean of the College of Cardinals and, on October 8, 2026, approved the election of Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as his successor. Cardinal Re will now hold the title of Dean Emeritus, while Cardinal Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, will also assume the title of the Suburbicarian Church of Ostia, retaining his title of Albano. But what exactly does the Dean of the College of Cardinals do? The Dean presides over the College of Cardinals and plays a particularly important role during a vacancy of the Apostolic See, when the Church prepares to elect a new Pope. His responsibilities include presiding over the conclave, provided he is under the age of 80 and therefore eligible to participate as a cardinal elector. However, the Dean does not exercise governing authority over the other cardinals. His role is one of leadership and coordination within the College. With this election, a new chapter begins for the College of Cardinals as Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re concludes his service as Dean. Source: Holy See Press Office