The African cardinals who could become the next Pope
The question of who will succeed Pope Francis following his death on April 21, is stirring growing speculation within the Catholic Church, and the outcome could significantly shape the direction of the faith’s 1.4 billion members around the globe.
While steeped in centuries-old tradition, the process of choosing a new pontiff is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent history. Roughly 80% of the current cardinal electors were appointed by Pope Francis himself, a factor that will heavily influence the outcome.
Though appointed under the same pontificate, these cardinals represent a wide spectrum of theological and ideological viewpoints, not falling neatly into “progressive” or “conservative” camps. Another historic shift: for the first time ever, European cardinals make up less than half of the voting body, opening the door to a more geographically diverse leadership.
This change has fuelled discussions about the possibility of the first African pope in over a millennium. While speculation mounts, a handful of names have emerged as potential frontrunners to succeed Francis.
Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, Ghana
Cardinal Turkson, 76, a seasoned Church leader from Ghana, has long been considered “papabile,” a potential pope. Appointed cardinal in 2003 by Pope John Paul II, he gained global attention for his leadership in social justice and development issues.
Born in Wassa Nsuta, Ghana, Turkson is a Fante ethnic member and the first Ghanaian cardinal, appointed by Pope John Paul II in 2003. He served as Archbishop of Cape Coast (1992–2009), president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (2009–2017), and prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (2017–2021). Currently, he is chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences.
Fluent in six languages, Turkson is known for his global outreach, pastoral experience, charisma and intellectual vigour. He brings a unique energy to the Vatican.
Though he upholds conservative values on doctrine, he has opposed the criminalisation of homosexuality in African nations, including his own. While previously criticised for remarks about the spread of Islam in Europe, for which he later apologised, Turkson remains a compelling figure with broad experience.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, DRC
From the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cardinal Ambongo, 65, is viewed as a strong contender from a region where Catholicism is rapidly expanding. As Archbishop of Kinshasa, he has led the Church in one of Africa’s most populous nations and has earned a reputation for courage under pressure.
Born in Boto, DRC, Besungu is the Archbishop of Kinshasa and president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar. Appointed cardinal by Pope Francis in 2019, he serves on the Council of Cardinals, advising the pope directly. A vocal critic of DRC’s dictatorial leadership, he is a prominent advocate for peace in a conflict-ridden nation.
Ambongo holds traditional views on marriage, opposing blessings for same-sex couples. At the same time, he has promoted interfaith cooperation, emphasizing the importance of religious coexistence in a country where Christian communities face threats from extremist groups. While some may question whether his inclusive stance on interreligious dialogue fully aligns with the Vatican’s evangelical mission, he is regarded a top candidate.
Cardinal Robert Sarah, Guinea
Cardinal Robert Sarah, 79, is a prominent conservative voice in the Catholic Church and a former head of the Vatican’s liturgy office. He made waves in 2020 after co-authoring a book with retired Pope Benedict defending priestly celibacy, a move seen by some as a challenge to Pope Francis amid debates on married priests in the Amazon.
Born in Ourous, Guinea in 1945, Sarah studied across Africa and Europe and became the world’s youngest bishop at 34. He rose through Vatican ranks, becoming a cardinal in 2010 and later prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship.
Sarah was appointed cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010. He served as president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum (2010–2014) and prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship (2014–2021).
A former Archbishop of Conakry, he opposed Guinea’s Marxist dictatorship under Sékou Touré, earning a reputation for resilience. Known for his critiques of gender ideology and Islamic extremism, Sarah remains a leading figure among those calling for an African pope.
Other non-African Cardinals who could also become Pope include:
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Italy
- Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, Philippines
- Cardinal Peter Erdo, Hungary
- Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Germany
- Cardinal Marc Oullet, Canada
- Cardinal Robert Prevost, America
- Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Italy
- Cardinal Michael Czerny, Canada
When the time comes, the College of Cardinals will gather in a secret conclave inside the Sistine Chapel, casting ballots in rounds of voting until a consensus is reached on the next Bishop of Rome. Only cardinals under 80 are eligible to vote in the conclave, and while any baptized Catholic male can theoretically be elected, the pope is almost always chosen from among the cardinals.
Written by Kweku Sampson.
This article is published by either a staff writer, an intern, or an editor of TheAfricanDream.net, based on editorial discretion.
