Pope Leo XIV ‘provisionally’ retains Tagle, Vatican heads in current roles

Metro Manila, Philippines - Pope Leo XIV has temporarily retained all top Vatican officials, including Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, in their current roles to allow him time to decide before making definitive appointments.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) News on Friday, May 9, reported that Pope Leo XIV is keeping Tagle and other heads of dicasteries in their posts "provisionally."

"The Holy Father wishes, in fact, to reserve a certain amount of time for reflection, prayer and dialogue, before any definitive nomination or confirmation," the Holy See Press Office said.

All Vatican senior officials are appointed for five-year terms. In 2022, Tagle was appointed by the late Pope Francis as the pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, a Roman Curia office where the sitting pope serves as prefect.

In a briefing, Tagle shared what happened inside the Sistine Chapel after Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost secured enough votes to become Pope Leo XIV.

Tagle said the room was filled with joy, but also a sense of solemn responsibility.

“We just have to pray for him,” the cardinal said, addressing the Catholic faithful.

Pope Leo XIV was elected pope on May 8, 2025 during the fourth ballot after two days in the conclave.

Aside from Tagle, the voting Filipino cardinals included Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula and Kalookan Archbishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David.