MANILA – Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle is being seen as a possible candidate to replace Pope Benedict XVI, who stepped down due to health reasons.

Cardinal Tagle's name has been included in international media reports as among the papabili, the possible candidates to be elected pope.

But the Philippine Church is careful not to raise expectations that the next pontiff will be a Filipino.

"Let us not talk of pushing our own candidates kasi maling-mali eh. That is totally wrong,” said Fr. Francis Lucas, CBCP executive secretary for Episcopal communication and mass media

Cardinal Tagle is only 55 years old and has only been a cardinal for four months.

But according to Vatican analyst John Thavis, author of the “Vatican Diaries,” Tagle's name is always included in discussions at the Vatican.

“It would have been unthinkable. There are people, even Vatican officials here, who have whispered to me, 'Tagle, he's the man.’ Because they too, some people here in Vatican, want some change,” he said.

But there are those apprehensive about the choice of a young cardinal since this would mean a longer term.

That is unless he follows in the footsteps of Benedict XVI and voluntarily steps down.

But until the new pope appears on the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square, no matter how often the names of the papabile are mentioned, there is no certainty who will be deemed worthy of leading the Catholic Church.