CAN AFRICA PRODUCE THE NEXT POPE? NAVIGATING THE REALITIES AND REVELATIONS OF A CONTINENT’S CANDIDACY
By Daniel Okonkwo
In the profession of journalism, one cannot afford the comfort of half-truths or the luxury of narratives that please at the expense of facts. It’s not about selling fabricated hope—it’s about telling the better truth. This truth, particularly when addressing the white elephant in the room, often reveals depths far more complex than we dare imagine. Today, that elephant is the question: Can Africa truly produce the next Pope?
This question, while delicate and deeply spiritual, is layered with political, cultural, and institutional complexities. Despite Pope Francis’ efforts to integrate Africa into the higher echelons of the Catholic Church—raising the proportion of cardinals from sub-Saharan Africa from 8% in 2013 to 12% by 2023—real power and influence remain elusive.
Names such as Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea, and Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of DR Congo are floated in discussions. But despite their seniority, deep spirituality, and vocal presence, many observers agree: none stands as a prominent contender in the eyes of global Catholicism. The idea that an African might ascend to the papacy often smacks of hypocritical respect for African intellectuals and clergy alike.
Father Paulinus Ikechukwu Odozor, a Nigerian-born Catholic priest and professor at Notre Dame University, highlights the danger in emphasizing origin over merit. “Just because you come from Africa or because you come from Europe, therefore you are a prime candidate?” he asks. “If you think about African cardinals who are potential popes, who is prominent in global Catholicism today? The answer is none.”
This candid assessment reveals a painful paradox. African Catholics now constitute 20% of the global congregation—over 281 million faithful as of 2023—yet African clergy hold no truly influential positions at the Vatican. Despite a growing spiritual footprint and strong opposition to liberal doctrines such as same-sex blessings, African cardinals remain on the periphery of papal politics. The 2023 declaration allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, which was staunchly rejected by African bishops, stresses how wide the ideological chasm can be.
As Fr. Chu Ilo poignantly states, “How it has come to this point for the continent of Africa and the Catholic Church is still something that surprises many of us, given Pope Francis’s openness to Africa.”
Indeed, Pope Francis made notable efforts by visiting 10 African nations during his pontificate and expanding the College of Cardinals to include more African voices. Still, these gestures haven't translated into meaningful ecclesiastical authority. For many African Catholics, this exclusion sends a message: that their faith, vibrant and sacrificial as it is, remains undervalued—if not subtly considered “counterfeit.”
Cardinal Sarah, a vocal arch-traditionalist, has not shied away from controversial declarations, describing Western liberal ideologies as the moral equivalent of 20th-century totalitarianism. The Congolese cardinal has similarly reinforced Africa’s moral stance, stating that same-sex unions are “intrinsically evil” and incompatible with African cultural norms.
In contrast to Africa's potential candidates, several contenders from outside the continent command global recognition:
Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy), Secretary of State, is seen as a diplomatic centrist, though his involvement in the controversial China agreement might have dented his credibility.
Cardinal Péter Erdő (Hungary), a conservative canon law scholar, could appeal to cardinals seeking a traditional shift.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines), dubbed the “Asian Pope Francis,” remains a favorite among progressives despite questions surrounding his managerial leadership at Caritas Internationalis.
Cardinal Christoph Schönborn (Austria), though aged 80, retains respect across ideological lines but is likely too old for serious consideration.
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith (Sri Lanka), Cardinal Charles Muang Bo (Myanmar), and Cardinal Mario Grech (Malta) are other names in the Vatican rumor mill—each with distinct theological and cultural leanings.
Amid these speculations, history reminds us that papal elections are not devoid of surprise, strategy, or even scandal. The very word conclave—Latin for “with key”—evokes an era when cardinals were locked into deliberation chambers, roofs removed, and rations limited, until a decision was reached. The mystery, even intrigue, still shrouds the process today.
The answer may not lie in numerical strength or doctrinal rigidity but in visibility, relevance, and global engagement. For now, African cardinals must continue the quiet work of building credibility and presence—not just within the African Church, but across the Catholic world. As one Vatican observer aptly put it, “As soon as you are elected, everybody’s issues become your issue.”
The papacy is more than a position—it is a voice for the global Body of Christ. If Africa is to claim that voice, it must prepare not just a candidate but a universal pastor, ready to shepherd all from any corner of the earth.
Until then, the conclave remains an arena of global significance, and Africa’s voice, though echoing from the margins, must continue to speak truth—better truth—into its future.
Profiles International Human Rights Advocate
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