Pope Leo XIV approved the election of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 69, one of the two pro-prefects of the Dicastery for Evangelization, as dean of the College of Cardinals.
Cardinal Tagle succeeds Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, 92, the prefect emeritus of the Congregation for Bishops, who resigned from the position.
As dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Tagle is first among equals and presides at a conclave (if he is under 80).
Although cardinals are as a rule bishops, the College of Cardinals is composed of three orders: the cardinal-deacons (typically curial cardinals), the cardinal-priests (who typically govern dioceses), and the cardinal-bishops (the highest rank: those honored with the designation by the Pope, as well as Eastern Catholic Patriarchs who are cardinals). Cardinal Tagle was elected dean of the College of Cardinals by his fellow cardinal-bishops.