Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle: Viral Video Shows Papal Favorite Singing John Lennon’s Imagine

Just days before the Conclave begins (scheduled for the evening of May 7, 2025), which will elect the new successor to Pope Francis, a video has gone viral showing Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, considered one of the favorites, singing John Lennon’s “Imagine” with great enthusiasm. According to reports, this isn’t the first time that the papal candidate has sung and even danced at religious gatherings. Cardinal Tagle is exceptionally communicative and approachable, looking younger than his 67 years. He represents a fresh face, far from the traditional austerity of centuries-old Vatican norms. His straightforwardness and simplicity are said to have won over millions of faithful to the Catholic Church in Asia. As the seventh Filipino cardinal, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle could become the first Asian Pope. Often referred to as the ‘Asian Francis’ or ‘Francis No. 2,’ due to his resemblance to Pope Francis, Tagle has expressed progressive views and criticized the church’s language regarding LGBTQ+ individuals, unwed mothers, and divorced people. The election of Tagle would likely represent an even greater transformation for the Catholic Church than Pope Francis did in 2013. The procedures to elect the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church will soon commence.