Are We Expecting an African Pope?
The recent passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday has sparked fresh conversations about the potential for the Catholic Church to elect its very first African Pope.
One of the leading African candidates is Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson, who is now 75 and was considered a strong contender during the 2013 conclave.
Other notable African cardinals in the mix include:
- Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, 65, hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Cardinal Robert Sarah, 79, from Guinea, who has garnered support from the Church’s traditionalist faction.
- Cardinal Francis Arinze, 92, from Nigeria, a long-time papal hopeful and one of the highest-ranking African clerics in Vatican history.
With such distinguished figures in the College of Cardinals, many are left wondering: Could one of them be the next Pope?
Pope Francis made a point of appointing several African cardinals during his time, with some being the first ever from their countries. Projections suggest that by 2050, a third of the world’s Catholics will be living in Africa. But will this demographic shift lead to a stronger African presence in the Vatican? And, perhaps most importantly, how likely is it that the Church will finally welcome its first African Pope?
Only time—and the next conclave—will reveal the answer.
Pictures: Credit BBC News Africa
