Is Africa poised to produce the next Pope?

With the passing of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church faces a pivotal moment — and for millions of African believers, it presents a rare opportunity to see one of their own ascend to the papacy.

As African Catholicism continues to flourish, now representing around 20% of the global Catholic faithful, voices from the continent are calling for leadership that reflects this dynamic growth.

The surge in followers across Africa has positioned the region as the Church’s fastest-growing stronghold, prompting renewed hopes for more inclusive representation in the Vatican’s highest office.

For many, the upcoming conclave is more than a ceremonial transition — it’s a chance to make history with the election of the first Black pope in the modern era.

Three prominent African cardinals

Several prominent African cardinals are drawing attention ahead of the papal election, including Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Turkson, Congo’s Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, and Ivory Coast’s Cardinal Ignace Bessi Dogbo.

Cardinal Turkson has held influential positions within the Vatican and actively champions social justice and environmental causes, making him a strong contender in previous conclaves.

Cardinal Ambongo has earned widespread respect for his peacebuilding efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, while Cardinal Dogbo, appointed in December 2024, embodies a rising generation of African Church leaders gaining global recognition.

“This is a unique moment for the Church,” said Fr. Emmanuel Adebayo, a theologian based in Nigeria.

“The Catholic population in Africa is vibrant and growing.

“Elevating a Black pope would be both a reflection of demographic reality and a symbol of unity in diversity.”

Despite the growing optimism, Vatican observers remain cautious.

Some insiders point to the limited public scrutiny African cardinals have faced compared to their Western counterparts as a potential concern.

Moreover, many African clergy hold conservative positions on social issues, particularly LGBTQ+ rights – stances that may contrast with the more progressive legacy of Pope Francis.

Nevertheless, the prospect of an African pope is being viewed by many as a continuation of Francis’s focus on the global South and the marginalised.

Throughout his papacy, Francis championed inclusion, simplicity, and a shift away from Eurocentric traditions, all of which could lend momentum to calls for a historic choice in the upcoming conclave.

As the College of Cardinals prepares to gather in the Sistine Chapel in the coming days, the world watches with anticipation.

Whether or not the next pope will come from Africa, the growing calls for change underscore a Church in transition – wrestling with its past, responding to its present, and looking toward a more inclusive future.

There are 135 cardinals under the age of 80 who are eligible to select Pope Francis’s successor.