As the Catholic Church prepares for life after Pope Francis, hopes are rising across Africa that one of their own may ascend to the papacy, potentially becoming the first Black pope in modern history. While the possibility remains uncertain, the symbolism would be powerful for a continent where Catholicism is expanding at an extraordinary rate.
Recent Vatican figures show that Africa is now the fastest-growing region for the Church, with African Catholics making up about 20% of the global Catholic population in 2023, and 9 million new adherents joining that year alone.
At memorial services for Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at age 88, African Catholics expressed both reverence for his legacy and hope for representation.
“To have a Black pope would not only rejuvenate the faith in Africa but also reshape perceptions of the continent,” said Father Charles Yapi, a Catholic priest in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. “It would show that an African can hold the highest spiritual office in the Catholic Church.”
Historically, some early popes were believed to have North African roots, though evidence is limited and their racial identities remain unclear. Still, many today see the time as ripe for a leader from sub-Saharan Africa.
African Names in Papal Conversations
Among the African cardinals mentioned as possible successors are:
- Cardinal Peter Turkson (76) – Ghana: A veteran Vatican official, known for his work on social justice and climate change.
- Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (65) – DR Congo: Archbishop of Kinshasa and a vocal peace advocate, appointed to Pope Francis’s advisory council.
- Cardinal Ignace Bessi Dogbo (63) – Ivory Coast: Recently elevated to cardinal, and gaining international visibility.
Despite growing global attention, Vatican insiders caution that these cardinals may face long odds. Many African candidates have not been through the same intense public scrutiny as their Western counterparts—something the Church is wary of, especially in the wake of abuse scandals.
Additionally, the views of African clergy often lean more conservative than Francis’s more progressive stances, which could influence the decision-making of the conclave.
Faith Over Origin
Some African clergy emphasize that the pope’s character and values matter more than his nationality or race.
“We pray for a good shepherd—someone who will lead the Church closer to God,” said Congolese priest Josue-Misael Mobatila Kwilu during a service in Kinshasa. “Where he comes from is not the point.”
Still, many believe that an African pope would affirm the Church’s commitment to the Global South and reinforce Francis’s legacy of advocacy for the marginalized.
Congo’s President, Félix Tshisekedi, recalled Pope Francis’s strong words during a 2023 visit: “Take your hands off the Democratic Republic of Congo. Take your hands off Africa! Stop suffocating Africa: it is not a mine to be exploited nor a land to be plundered.”
Conservative Roots, Complex Politics
Though aligned with Francis on issues like poverty and inequality, many African clerics oppose his more liberal reforms—particularly on LGBTQ+ matters. Cardinal Ambongo and Father Yapi have both publicly rejected the Church’s 2023 move to allow blessings for same-sex couples, citing cultural values and doctrinal concerns.
Cardinal Turkson, once criticized for linking clerical abuse to homosexuality, has recently adopted a more moderate tone. In 2023, he told the BBC it was “time to begin education” on the issue, acknowledging it is “not completely alien to Ghanaian society.”
As the conclave approaches, observers note that predicting the next pope is notoriously difficult. But for now, the prospect of a Black African pope has ignited hope, pride, and global conversation.
“Even if it doesn’t happen,” said Archbishop John Bonaventure Kwofie of Ghana, “the very fact that African names are being considered shows how far the Church has come—and how much farther it can go.”
