CARDINAL Luis Antonio Tagle has been tasked to assist Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who temporarily oversees Vatican affairs during the sede vacante period, for at least three days in a particular congregation.
Tagle was named by drawing lots, along with Cardinal Dominique Mamberti and Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the Council for the Economy coordinator, during the fifth General Congregation or the pre-conclave meeting of the College of Cardinals on April 28.
This is in accordance with the 1996 apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, which outlines procedures for the sede vacante period and the election of a new pope during a conclave.
“During the vacancy of the Apostolic See, the Camerlengo of Holy Roman Church has the duty of safeguarding and administering the goods and temporal rights of the Holy See, with the help of the three Cardinal Assistants, having sought the views of the College of Cardinals, once only for less important matters, and on each occasion when more serious matters arise,” the document read.
The cardinals will be rotated out after three days. The Congregation will continue every 9 a.m. except on May 1 and 4.
More than 180 cardinals, including non-electors, attended the fifth General Congregation, where they addressed challenges facing the Church, evangelization efforts, and interfaith relations.
Over 100 cardinal electors also renewed their oath of secrecy ahead of the conclave to elect Pope Francis’s successor on May 7.
Tagle, who served as pro-prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization under Pope Francis, is considered to be among the papabili, or the top contenders for the papacy.
