What's happened
As the conclave to elect Pope Francis' successor approaches on May 7, 2025, three African cardinals are considered potential candidates. While there is cautious optimism for a Black pope, historical context and current church dynamics suggest challenges ahead for the Catholic Church in Africa.
What's behind the headline?
Key Considerations
- Historical Context: The last African pope was over 1,500 years ago. The election of a Black pope would symbolize a significant shift in the Church's leadership.
- Candidates: Cardinals Robert Sarah, Peter Turkson, and Fridolin Ambongo are seen as frontrunners, each representing different theological perspectives. Sarah is known for his traditionalist views, while Turkson aligns more closely with Francis' progressive stances.
- Cultural Dynamics: African cardinals may face challenges reconciling local cultural conservatism with the more inclusive approaches advocated by Francis. This tension could influence the Church's direction under a new pope.
- Expectations from Africa: With a growing Catholic population, African Catholics expect more than symbolic gestures from their new leader. They seek acknowledgment of the Church's historical role in colonialism and a commitment to addressing contemporary issues affecting the continent.
- Future Implications: The next pope's approach to social issues, including LGBTQ+ rights and interfaith dialogue, will be crucial in shaping the Church's relevance in Africa, where traditional views often clash with modern societal changes.
What the papers say
According to The Independent, the potential for an African pope has sparked cautious optimism among Catholics in Africa, with Cardinals Sarah, Turkson, and Ambongo being highlighted as 'papabile'. Al Jazeera emphasizes the need for the new pope to address the Church's historical complicity in colonialism and the slave trade, reflecting a broader expectation for accountability. The New York Times notes that while Francis made strides in connecting with African Catholics, his progressive stances on issues like same-sex marriage faced significant pushback from African bishops, indicating a complex relationship between the Vatican and the continent. This multifaceted narrative underscores the challenges and expectations surrounding the upcoming papal election.
How we got here
Pope Francis' papacy has seen a significant focus on Africa, where Catholicism is growing rapidly. With his passing, the upcoming conclave will determine if an African cardinal can lead the Church, marking a historic shift after 1,500 years.
Go deeper
- What are the views of the African cardinals?
- How has Pope Francis impacted the Catholic Church in Africa?
- What challenges might the new pope face?
Common question
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Who are the African Cardinals in the Running for the Papacy?
As the conclave to elect Pope Francis' successor approaches, the spotlight is on three prominent African cardinals. This moment could mark a historic shift for the Catholic Church, raising questions about the potential impact of a Black pope and the challenges that lie ahead.
More on these topics
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Pope Francis is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State. Francis is the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first pope from outside Europe since the Syrian Gregory
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Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.3 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area and 20% of its land area.
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The Catholic Church, sometimes referred to as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with approximately 1.3 billion baptised Catholics worldwide as of 2018.
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Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson is a Ghanaian cardinal of the Catholic Church. He was president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace from 24 October 2009 to 1 January 2017.
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Vatican City, officially the Vatican City State, is the Holy See's independent city-state enclaved within Rome, Italy. Vatican City became independent from Italy with the Lateran Treaty, and it is a distinct territory under "full ownership, exclusive domi
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Robert Sarah is a Guinean prelate of the Catholic Church. A cardinal since 20 November 2010, he was prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments from 23 November 2014 to 20 February 2021.