The question of whether the next Pope will come from Africa is increasingly relevant, especially as the continent’s Catholic population continues to grow at an extraordinary pace. Today, Africa represents over half of the global increase in Catholic believers, with Catholics now making up 20% of the worldwide Church, a significant rise from 272 million in 2022 to 281 million in 2023. Despite this, odds remain slim that an African will ascend to the papacy anytime soon.
Historically, the Catholic Church has seen at least three popes from Africa, the last being Pope Gelasius I, who died over 1,500 years ago. The rapid growth of the Catholic Church in Africa and Pope Francis’s significant outreach to the continent has sparked debates about the possibility of an African pope. However, the reality is more complex.
Father Stan Chu Ilo, a Nigerian priest, expressed support for an African Pope, arguing that the leadership of the Church should better reflect its global congregation. However, he highlighted a critical obstacle: the lack of senior African clergy in influential Vatican positions. While Africa’s representation in the College of Cardinals has increased under Pope Francis growing from 8% to 12% in a decade there is no single African cardinal currently seen as a prominent contender for the papacy.
Father Paulinus Ikechukwu Odozor, a Nigerian-born priest, cautioned against choosing a Pope based solely on geographic or demographic considerations, stressing the importance of theological expertise and leadership. He warned that focusing on an African Pope could feel like tokenism, suggesting that the Pope should address issues affecting the global Church, irrespective of where he comes from.
Moreover, issues such as racism and cultural tensions in the Church might complicate the election of an African Pope, with some arguing that a figure from Africa might struggle to unite the global Church.
In conclusion, while the growing Catholic presence in Africa underscores its importance, the next Pope may still come from another part of the world, as the Church prioritizes theological depth and global unity over regional representation.
