As the world mourns the death of Pope Francis—the first pontiff from the Americas and the first Jesuit to lead the Roman Catholic Church—a longstanding question gains renewed urgency: Is it time for a Black pope?
Pope Francis was celebrated for his progressive stance on poverty, immigration, climate change, and interfaith dialogue. His passing marks a moment of deep reflection for the Church, particularly as Africa, home to a fast-growing Catholic population, takes on an increasingly important role in global Catholicism.
The African Catholic Church: A Growing Force
Over the past century, the demographics of the Catholic Church have shifted dramatically. Once dominated by Europe and the Americas, the Church has seen explosive growth in Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa now represents over 20% of the world’s Catholics, with numbers still rising. According to the Vatican’s 2022 Statistical Yearbook, the African Catholic population has more than doubled in the last 50 years.
Despite this growth, the Vatican remains largely European. African cardinals—who vote in papal elections—remain few in number and influence, raising concerns about the inclusiveness and global representation of Church leadership. Electing a Black pope would send a powerful message of inclusivity, affirm the contributions of African Catholics, and address the underrepresentation of Black voices at the highest levels of the Church.
The Legacy of Pope Francis
Pope Francis brought a unique focus on social justice, compassion, and the struggles of marginalized communities—including migrants, the poor, and Indigenous peoples. His push for a more decentralized and participatory Church, through concepts like synodality, signaled a desire for reform. Though he faced resistance from conservative factions within the Vatican, Francis laid the groundwork for a more inclusive future.
Africa's Leadership Potential
Could the next pope be African? Increasingly, the answer may be yes. Cardinals like Peter Turkson of Ghana—long viewed as a contender for the papacy—illustrate the Church’s potential to embrace African leadership. Turkson’s work on climate change and global inequality has earned him international respect, proving that an African pope could bring both symbolic and substantive leadership.
Choosing a Black pope would not only reflect demographic changes but would also demonstrate the Church's commitment to addressing the racial and cultural dynamics shaping the modern Catholic experience. Africa, with its youthful population and vibrant faith communities, offers the Church a chance to stay relevant in an evolving world.
Cultural and Theological Impact
An African pope would bring fresh theological and cultural insights to a Church historically influenced by European and Latin American traditions. African Catholicism, rooted in spirituality, community, and reverence for the sacred, could reinvigorate the Church’s global mission. It would also foster deeper interfaith engagement, particularly within Africa’s religiously diverse societies.
Africa’s colonial past, combined with its resilience in the face of conflict and poverty, provides a distinct lens on justice, peace, and human dignity. These experiences could shape how the Church approaches international issues such as human rights, economic equity, and diplomacy.
Conclusion: A Turning Point for the Church?
As the Church grieves Pope Francis, it must also look to the future. The question of a Black pope transcends race—it speaks to the direction and values of a truly global Church.
Francis showed that the papacy can evolve without losing its spiritual core. Electing a Black, possibly African, pope would be a bold next step—signaling a Church that embraces diversity and responds to the realities of the 21st century.
Whether or not the next pope is African remains to be seen. But the conversation itself is a call to reassess the Church’s global priorities and to honor the transformative legacy of Pope Francis.
In this time of reflection, the Church must ask not only what it has been—but what it hopes to become.
Dr. Jude Dike, Ph.D.
College professor and host of a weekly podcast in Calgary, Canada.
