Although the chances of the conclave started on Wednesday (7) elect an African pope seem remote at first glance, there is an expectation of the devotees of Africa May one become the first black pope in modern history and continue Francis’ legacy to defend the developing world.
A continent where religion permeates most aspects of private and public life, Africa is where the Roman Catholic Church grows faster, according to Vatican data published in March this year.
During the honors to Francis after his death, faithful even said that a black pope should have been elected a long time ago.
Brazilian cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer, Archbishop of São Paulo, also said that “no one should be surprised if a African or Asian cardinal was chosen to be a Pope.”
Some names of African candidates have been circulating, but there are doubts about whether any of them have real chances of becoming Papa, in part because none of them have been subjected to the same level of public scrutiny as most Western cardinals. Anyway, predicting who will become Pope is notoriously complicated.
Potential African Popes
Among the African clerics pointed out as potential popes are the cardinal Robert Sarah, from Guinea 79 years old; the Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, from Ghana 76 years old; the Cardinal Fridolin Ambongongo Besungu, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, 65, Archbishop of Kinshasa; and the Cardinal Ignace Bessi Dogbo, from the 63 -year -old Ivory Coast .
Robert Sarah
Sarah It emerges as one of the names listed to succeed Pope Francis after his death. Originally from Guinea Sarah represents a possible historical change to the Catholic Church, being a black and African candidate for the papacy.
The cardinal has already held prominent positions in the Vatican, including the number 4 position in the hierarchy during the pontificate of Francis.
His intellectual experience and background, with seven books published, are seen as strengths in his candidacy.
The Guinean cardinal defends traditional positions within the church, even supporting practices as Masses in Latin and Back Fathers for the faithful during celebrations.
His conservative view contrasts with some of Pope Francis’ most progressive initiatives, especially on topics such as immigration and same -sex blessing.
Despite its prominence, Sarah’s advanced age is seen as a possible obstacle. At 79, there are concerns about the duration of a possible pontificate and its ability to lead the church in the long run.
In addition, the resistance of the Church’s progressive wing, strengthened by Pope Francis’ nominations, can represent a significant challenge to the election of a more conservative leader like Sarah.
Peter Turkson
At the age of 76, Turkson is internationally recognized as an opinion maker and stands out for his moderate posture and six-language skill.
Current Chancellor of Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences a position designated by Pope Francis, Turkson gained international projection after his participation in the Davos World Economic Forum, where he discussed the need for an international monetary authority.
Son of a family with ten brothers, Turkson is known for his dedication to Bible studies, being considered a “biblist” in the Vatican. Your linguistic skill impresses: besides talking six languages he understands two others.
During the 2013 conclave, Turkson was appointed by analysts as a strong candidate, coming close to becoming the first black porridge in modern history. Moreover, his view of the relationship between faith and science is recognized, as demonstrated in one of his speech: “A true growth of the human person requires science and faith.”
Despite his prominence, Turkson faces challenges in his potential candidacy for the papacy. Your advanced age for example, it is seen as a factor that could result in a relatively short pontificate.
In addition, its moderate position generates resistance from both liberals and conservatives within the church.
The desired profile for the next Pope, according to discussions between the cardinals, is from someone capable of building bridges, concerned with world wars and a more pastoral approach. These characteristics can influence the chances of Turkson and other candidates on the conclave.
Ambongongo Besungu
Ambongo, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, is a prominent voice that defends peace in a nation devastated by wars and insurgencies. He was appointed Cardinal by Francisco in 2019, and appointed again by the Pontifical in 2020 – this time to the Cardinian Council, a Papal Counselors Office that Francisco regularly gathers.
However, Ambongo opposed Francisco’s approval in 2023 of blessings to gay couples, claiming that this would expose the church to scandals.
Ignace Dogbo
Dogbo, Archbishop of Abidjan, from Ivory Coast, was appointed Cardinal in December 2024 and, as a result, his visibility increased.
“Having cardinals from all over the world really translates the universality of the church,” he told Reuters at the time.
Despite the projection experienced by the religious, it is unlikely to be elected in the conclave started on Wednesday.
With information from Reuters.
This content was originally published in Conclave: What is the chance for an African Pope to be elected? on the CNN Brazil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
