Yesterday was a mix of feelings for those of the Christian faith. Easter Monday is a day for Christians to observe Jesus’s post-resurrection appearances, but another historical grief-filled event occurred as well: the passing of Pope Francis.

At 88 years old, he died of a stroke and heart failure, arguably expected following his recent history of illness. Since then the internet has been abuzz about who his successor could be. And the more hardhitting question of everyone’s minds — could his successor be African? 

That’s very much a possibility, as there are currently three African contenders for the position: Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea, and Cardinal Peter Turkson from Ghana. 

Why is this a huge deal? Well, for most of the past 2,000 years, the position of the pope has been held by Europeans, more specifically Italians, and shaped by their traditions and values. Argentine Pope Francis, one to break the mould whenever he can, became the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years in 2013.

When speaking about popes from Africa, the timeline goes back a long way: in the history of the Catholic Church, there have only been three African popes. ​The last African pope was Pope Gelasius I, of Algerian descent, who led the church from 492 to 496 AD in the fifth century. 

But wait, how is a new Pope chosen?

Essentially, it’s up to the conclave — a secret process for which we have some details.

When a pope dies, it’s up to the College of Cardinals, the top leaders in the Catholic Church, to choose a new one. These cardinals come from all over the world, from approximately 90 countries and around 135 of them are eligible to vote, as long as they’re under the age of 80. They head to Rome for a special meeting called the conclave, which means “with key” in Latin – that’s because the process is very private and happens behind locked doors. The cardinals meet in the Sistine Chapel, where they aren’t allowed phones, news, or any contact with the outside world. It’s all about prayer, reflection, and voting in complete secrecy.

First on the agenda is a special Mass. Then the voting begins, twice a day, until someone gets a two-thirds majority. After each vote, the ballot papers are burnt. If no one’s been chosen yet, black smoke rises from the chimney. But when a new pope is elected, white smoke goes up, and the crowd outside knows: “We have a pope!” The new leader then chooses his papal name, dresses in his white robes, and steps out onto the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica to greet the world.

What made Pope Francis’ election unique

Pope Francis made history in 2013 when he became the first pope from Latin America and the first Jesuit to hold the papacy (a Jesuit is a member of a group of Catholic priests and brothers called the Society of Jesus. They are known for their strong focus on education, social justice, and missionary work). Normally the position was held by those from the secular (diocesan) clergy. 

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina in 1936, Francis’ election marked a significant shift for the Catholic Church, which had chosen European popes for 2 millennium. What made his papacy stand out even more was his focus on making the Church more inclusive and diverse. During his time, he appointed cardinals from regions such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

His impact in Africa also made him stand out in role as pope. He didn’t shy away from speaking out against things like colonialism, inequality, poverty, and environmental damage—issues that affect many Africans. On his 2015 visit to Kenya, instead of heading straight to government buildings or cathedrals, he went to the slums of Nairobi. There, he preached about dignity, land, work, and housing for the poor, showing he was a pope who really cared about the people on the ground.

He also encouraged African Catholics to do things their own way, to respond to local issues with local solutions. He believed not everything needed to be decided in Rome, and that African churches should lead their own paths.

Who are the three African cardinals?

1️⃣Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, 64, Republic of Congo

Bensungo is currently the Archbishop of Kinshasa. At 64 years old, he is one of the younger candidates and is the only African on the Pope’s Council of Cardinals.

He is a leading voice on the continent. As head of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, he opposes same-sex blessings and sees Africa as the Church’s future.

Over the years, he served as a priest, teacher, and leader in both the church and civil society, even playing a key role in fostering peace during his country’s political crisis. Pope Francis himself appointed him as a cardinal in 2019 and, the following year, made him an advisor to the Council of Cardinals.

2️⃣Cardinal Robert Sarah, 70 Guinea

Cardinal Robert Sarah is a top pick for many conservative Catholics. He was quite influential during Pope Benedict’s time, from 2005 to 2013, but he hasn’t been in the spotlight as much in recent years.

Sarah’s views are rooted in traditional Catholic teaching and he is known for opposing ordination of women as deacons and blessings for same-sex unions, even calling the latter “heresy.” His strong stance on doctrine has earned him respect among conservative Catholics, but his differences with Pope Francis have complicated his papal aspirations.  

3️⃣Cardinal Peter Turkson, 76, Ghana

The third African in the running speaks six languages and is well-known for standing up for social justice.He currently holds a prominent position as Chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences. Even though he once hesitated to consider the role of pope—partly due to concerns about race—he’s still seen as a trusted and experienced voice, and someone who pushes for change around the world.

So what’s next?

Pope Francis often spoke about choosing leaders from the “peripheries”, ie. places outside of Europe that haven’t traditionally held power in the Catholic Church. This approach has also brought attention to cardinals from Asia and Latin America.​ And with Christianity booming on the continent, looking to Africa makes sense. But while we have three strong candidates, the race to become the next pope is wide open.

​The prominence of African cardinals in this election is significant. It reflects a shift towards a more inclusive and globally representative Church. Whether an African is elected pope or not, their presence in the conversation marks a pivotal moment for the future of Catholic leadership.

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