Africans Hope for a Historic First: A Black Pope in Modern Times

As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, Africans are daring to dream of a groundbreaking possibility: the election of the first Black pope in modern history. Such a milestone could build on Francis’s legacy of advocating for the developing world, though Vatican insiders suggest the odds may be slim.

Yet, for a continent where religion is deeply woven into every facet of life, this aspiration is both profound and deeply personal.

According to Vatican statistics released last month, Africa is home to the fastest-growing Catholic population globally. For many African Catholics, the idea of a Black pope feels not only overdue but also transformative.

As congregants gathered for services honoring Pope Francis after his death earlier this week, the sentiment was clear: an African pope could redefine perceptions of the continent while reinvigorating the Christian faith across its vast and diverse communities.

“To have a Black pope would breathe new life into Christianity in Africa,” said Father Charles Yapi, a Catholic priest based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. “It would challenge stereotypes about Africa and demonstrate that someone from our continent can lead one of the most influential spiritual offices in the world.”

Historians studying the early Church have long noted evidence suggesting that some popes in the first millennium were either born in North Africa or descended from African lineage – some possibly even Black. However, details remain sparse, leaving these figures shrouded in mystery.

What is undeniable, though, is the growing influence of African Catholics today, who made up roughly 20 percent of the global Catholic population in 2023, with 9 million new adherents joining the faith in the previous year alone.

While whispers of potential African contenders have begun circulating within Vatican circles, skepticism persists about their chances. Unlike many Western cardinals, African prelates have not faced the same level of public scrutiny – an issue that could raise concerns for an institution still grappling with the fallout from decades of scandals.

Predicting papal elections has always been a perilous endeavor, but several names from Africa are gaining attention.

Among the most prominent African candidates are Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson of Ghana, 76; Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of Congo, 65, the archbishop of Kinshasa; Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea, 79; and Cardinal Ignace Bessi Dogbo of Ivory Coast, 63. Each brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to addressing the challenges facing the Church in the Global South.

For Archbishop John Bonaventure Kwofie of Accra, who has known Turkson since the 1970s and was ordained as a bishop by him, the selection of Turkson would be a fitting acknowledgment of Africa’s burgeoning Catholic community. “Choosing Cardinal Turkson would not only recognize the incredible growth of the Church in Africa but also inspire future generations of African clergy,” he said.

The prospect of a Black pope carries immense symbolic weight, offering an opportunity to reshape global narratives about leadership, representation, and faith. While the road ahead may be uncertain, the hope emanating from Africa underscores the universal nature of the Catholic Church – and the boundless possibilities that lie within it.