On April 21, 2025, a notable post on X from Africa Facts Zone sparked widespread conversation about the potential for an African pope.

The post, which includes images of two prominent African cardinals, highlights Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana and Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea as frontrunners to succeed Pope Francis, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 88.

This comes shortly after his public appearance on Easter Sunday, despite his recent battle with double pneumonia, making his death a surprising turn of events for the global Catholic community.

Cardinal Peter Turkson, born on October 11, 1948, holds the distinction of being the first Ghanaian cardinal, a title bestowed upon him by Pope John Paul II in 2003.

With a robust history of leadership, Turkson has served in significant roles within the Vatican, including as president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace from 2009 to 2017.

Currently, he is the chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences, a position he has held since 2022.

His tenure has not been without controversy, such as the 2012 incident where he presented a YouTube video titled "Muslim Demographics" at a Vatican conference, raising concerns about Islam's growth in Europe.

The move drew criticism for fear-mongering, but Turkson later apologized, clarifying his intent to spark practical discussions.

Beyond this, his diplomatic efforts, such as his role as Pope Francis’s special envoy to South Sudan in 2016 to promote peace, underscore his global influence and commitment to social justice.

Cardinal Robert Sarah, born on June 15, 1945, in Guinea, is another strong contender.

He served as the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments from 2014 to 2021, a role that positioned him as a key figure in shaping Catholic liturgical practices.

Before this, he was the secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples under Pope John Paul II and president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum under Pope Benedict XVI, who elevated him to cardinal in 2010.

Sarah’s career has been marked by his steadfast conservatism and resistance to secular influences, as well as his historical opposition to Guinea’s dictator Sékou Touré, where the Catholic Church under his leadership played a pivotal role in public life.

His health has been a concern recently, with a successful prostate surgery in July 2021, but he remains an active voice in the Church.

The possibility of an African pope is a historic one, yet it is fraught with challenges.

The Catholic Church has a long history of Eurocentrism, with the majority of popes hailing from Europe, particularly Italy.

While there have been three African popes in history—Pope Victor I (189-199), Pope Miltiades (311-314), and Pope Gelasius I (492-496)—all were from North Africa and their tenures were during the early centuries of the Church.

A sub-Saharan African pope has never been elected in the Church’s 2,000-year history, a fact that many attribute to systemic biases and the underrepresentation of African cardinals in the College of Cardinals, the body responsible for electing the pope.

Replies to the Africa Facts Zone post reflect these concerns, with users expressing skepticism about whether the predominantly European cardinals would support an African candidate.

Some point to cultural biases in Italy and broader European societies as potential barriers, while others believe the Holy Spirit will guide the conclave’s decision, as stated by user Alex Orbih.

The discussion underscores a broader tension within the Church about diversity and inclusion, particularly as the global Catholic population increasingly shifts toward Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

Whether Cardinal Turkson or Cardinal Sarah can overcome these historical and structural hurdles remains to be seen, but their candidacies mark a significant moment for African representation in the Vatican.