Africans eye a pope from among their own

Africans eye a pope from among their own

In 2010, Ghana's Cardinal Peter Turkson said he was not ready to become pope -- and that the Catholic Church might not be either.

African Cardinals Emerge as Contenders for Papacy

Following the death of Pope Francis, African Catholics are hopeful that the next pope could be the first Black pontiff in modern history. Prominent African cardinals, including Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Turkson and Congo’s Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, are among the leading contenders. Supporters believe that a Black pope would acknowledge Africa’s increasing significance in the Church and inspire its clergy. The post African Cardinals Emerge …

Cardinal Peter Turkson: A contender to be the next pope

With Pope Francis's passing, focus turns to Cardinal Peter Turkson, who is a leading candidate in the upcoming papal election

The Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson said in 2010 that he was not prepared to become a pope and that perhaps the Catholic Church was not ready either. But more than 15 years later, this influential African prelate is profiled as one of the favorites. “I would not like to be the first black pope. I think I would have had a bad time,” he said, but after Francis’ death on Monday, at the door of opening the conclave to elect his successor, the name o…

Rapper GNL casts doubt on Catholic Church’s readiness for black pope

Following the reported death of Pope Francis two days ago, speculation is swirling about the possibility of the world electing its first Black pope. Among the African contenders are Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea. But rapper and cultural critic […] The post Rapper GNL casts doubt on Catholic Church’s readiness for black pope first appeare…

In 2010, Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson confided not to feel ready to become pope. "I wouldn't want to be this first black pope. It would be complicated," he said. "Today, after the disappearance of Pope Francis, his name circulates again in the Vatican. And he is not the only African evoked to lead the Catholic Church. Certainly, history already has an African pope: Victor I, who reigned in the second century, came from North Africa.