By Tim Rohr
On October 9, 2026, EWTN News announced: "Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has been elected dean of the College of Cardinals, succeeding Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who has held the position since 2020. The Filipino prelate is the first Asian to serve as dean."
This is no small promotion. Benedict 16 held the same position prior to becoming Benedict 16. The timing is interesting, given that we also just learned that Leo 14 will undergo surgery in the next day or two.
The surgery is reportedly minor, and there is little chance that Leo won't survive it, but if he doesn't, then:
The Dean plays a prominent public and liturgical role:
Summons all cardinals to Rome.
Presides over the General Congregations of cardinals.
Celebrates the funeral Mass for the deceased pope and presides over the opening of the Conclave (unless he is over the age limit of 80, in which case the senior cardinal elector takes over).
Meanwhile, closer to home, I believe the elevation of Tagle will lead to Archbishop Jimenez taking a position in Rome. Jimenez already has one, having been appointed to serve on the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication; however, I believe Jimenez's new job will take him physically and permanently to Rome - where, of course, I believe he has always planned to be.
For Jimenez, the appointment to Guam was always a stepping stone, and, as I've pointed out several times, his main job was to salvage the Neocatechumenal Way. And, if he did that, he'd soon find himself in Rome.
Meanwhile, I also believe the plan all along was to move Convocar to Saipan, but only temporarily, and that after Jimenez moved to Rome, Convocar would return to Guam as the new archbishop.
The only thing that doesn't quite add up is that Tagle is not a friend of the Neocats - at least he wasn't several years ago- so I don't know how Jimenez track record of taking care of the Neocats in Guam adds up to a promotion under Tagle.
However, never discount the power of the Neocats. Especially in Rome.
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