Will the next African Pope be the first?

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Claim: Many outlets and individuals have claimed that if an African is chosen as the next pope, he will be the first Black or African pope to ever reign.

Verdict: False! Historical records and checks by DUBAWA reveal that there have been three African popes in the Catholic Church’s history, making it incorrect to suggest that the next African pope would be the first.

Full Text

Following the death of Pope Francis on April 20, 2025, from complications from a long-term respiratory condition, speculation has surged about who will succeed him as the leader of the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the first Latin American pope and passed away at the age of 88, as confirmed by official Vatican sources. Progressive reforms, including outreach to marginalised groups and a focus on social justice, marked his 12-year papacy.

In the wake of his death, social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram have been inundated with discussions about his potential successor.

However, a prominent narrative gaining traction is the possibility of electing the “first Black pope,” with many posts suggesting that an African cardinal would make history as the first pope of African descent.

However, this claim is factually inaccurate, as there have already been three popes of African descent in the Church’s nearly 2,000-year history.

Social Media Buzz and Misinformation

The death of Pope Francis has sparked widespread online discussions, with numerous posts claiming that the next pope could be the first Black or African pope. These claims have garnered significant engagement across platforms, amplifying the misinformation. Here are some notable examples:

• Africa Equity Media (Facebook): Posted, “Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Turkson could make history as first Black pope,” receiving 137 reactions and 11 comments.
• Xtian Dela™ (@xtiandela on X): Tweeted, “World Prepares for First Black Pope,” highlighting Cardinal Robert Sarah from Guinea, with over 7,000 views, 18 retweets, and seven quotes.
• Nick (@ChurchisNick on X): Posted, “Incoming first Black Pope. Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson,” garnering 4.3K views, 17 retweets, and two replies.
• Elton Brobbey (@EltonBrobbey on X): Tweeted, “After the death of Pope Francis… If elected, he [Turkson] would be the first Black Pope,” with engagement details not disclosed.
• Dr. Sneaker Nyame (@SneakerNyame_ on X): Asked, “Do you think Cardinal Peter Turkson can be the first black pope?” at 5:06 PM on April 21, 2025, with 31.3K views, 54 comments, 82 retweets, and 1.2K likes.

These posts reflect excitement about the growing influence of African cardinals but overlook the historical precedent of African popes, necessitating this fact-check by DUBAWA to set the record straight.

Verification

Checks by DUBAWA revealed that the Catholic Church has seen three popes of African descent, all from North Africa, during the early centuries of Christianity, when the region was a vital part of the Roman Empire and a hub of Christian activity.

Below are details of these popes:

Pope Name	Reign	Origin	Notable Contributions	Feast Day
Pope Victor I	189-199 AD	Likely Libya or Tunisia	Standardised Easter date, transitioned to Latin Mass	July 28
Pope Miltiades	311-314 AD	Africa, location uncertain	Ended Christian persecutions, last buried in the catacomb	December 10
Pope Gelasius I	492-496 AD	Rome, Algerian descent	Advocated charity, defined papal authority	November 21

• Pope Victor I: Born in the Roman province of Africa, likely in Leptis Magna (modern-day Libya) or Tripolitania (Tunisia), Victor I was of Berber origin. He resolved the Easter Controversy by standardising Easter Sunday across the Church and began the shift from Greek to Latin in the Mass. He was martyred and later declared a saint, with his feast day on July 28.
• Pope Miltiades (Melchiades): Of North African origin, though the exact location is uncertain, Miltiades oversaw the Church’s first years of legal recognition under Emperor Constantine, implementing the Edict of Toleration in 311 AD. He was the last pope buried in a catacomb and is venerated as a saint, with his feast day on December 10.
• Pope Gelasius I: Born in Rome to parents from what is now Algeria, Gelasius was a prolific writer who defined the roles of Church and state, influencing Catholic governance for centuries. He required bishops to donate 25% of their revenue to the poor and develop liturgical practices. His feast day is November 21, coinciding with Black Catholic History Month.

While these popes’ North African origins are well-documented, the term “Black” in modern racial terms is debated. North Africans, including Berbers, had a range of skin tones, and historical racial classifications differ from those used today.

Nonetheless, sources like Black Catholic Messenger refer to them as African or Black popes, reflecting a broader interpretation.

Current Context and Potential Candidates

The growing influence of Africa in the Catholic Church has fuelled speculation about an African pope. Currently, 16 active African cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in the conclave or be elected pope.

Following Pope Francis’s death, several cardinals are considered potential successors, including African candidates who could make history as the first pope from sub-Saharan Africa.

Below is a comprehensive list of top contenders:

• Cardinal Peter Turkson (Ghana, 76): Former head of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, known for advocacy on climate change and social justice. A strong communicator, he’s a leading African candidate.
• Cardinal Robert Sarah (Guinea, 79): A conservative theologian and former Congregation for Divine Worship Prefect. Despite past clashes with Francis, his traditionalist stance has been supported.
• Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (DR Congo, 65): Archbishop of Kinshasa, a rising voice opposing same-sex blessings, aligning with conservative factions.
• Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy, 70): Vatican Secretary of State, a moderate “continuity candidate” with diplomatic skills.
• Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines, 67): Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples. He is a progressive who could be the first Asian pope.
• Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy, 69): Archbishop of Bologna, a progressive peace envoy tied to the Sant’Egidio community.
• Cardinal Péter Erdő (Hungary, 72): Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, representing a conservative shift.
• Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça (Portugal, 59): Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, known for liberal views.
• Cardinal Mario Grech (Malta, 68): Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, a centrist promoting dialogue.
• Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Italy, 60): Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, noted for humanitarian efforts in Gaza.

If an African cardinal is elected, it would mark the first time a pope has come from sub-Saharan Africa, a historic milestone, although not the first African papacy overall.

The Papal Election Process

The election of a new pope follows a centuries-old tradition:

1. Confirmation of Death: Vatican officials confirm the pope’s passing.
2. Mourning Period: Nine days for funeral rites and burial.
3. Summoning of Cardinals: Cardinals under 80 (up to 115) convene in Rome.
4. Conclave Voting: Held in the Sistine Chapel, requiring a two-thirds majority. Black smoke signals no decision; white smoke announces the election of a new pope.
5. Outcome: If no consensus is reached after 12 days, a simple majority may suffice.

The conclave’s secrecy makes predictions difficult, as seen with Pope Francis’s unexpected election in 2013.

Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Turkson: A Frontrunner for the Papacy?
With speculation mounting about the next pope, Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, 76, has emerged as a prominent contender, backed by his extensive experience at the Vatican and his global advocacy for social justice. 

Speaking to DUBAWA, Father Michael Quaicoe, the Catholic liaison to Ghana’s Parliament, emphasised that while African representation in the papacy would be significant, the ultimate consideration should be fidelity to God’s mission for the Church.

Father Quaicoe said, “Yes, of course, the Church in Africa and Asia is growing, so it shouldn’t be overlooked. But the most important variable should be the man who understands this vision of God for the Church and humanity, and is willing to be docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.”

He acknowledged his admiration for Cardinal Peter Turkson, calling him “a man of such gravitas” and a “very good candidate” for the papacy. 

However, he insisted that personal and regional preferences must give way to divine selection. “If that person is from Ghana or from Africa, it would make me happier,” he said, “but it isn’t, for me, the most important variable in this conversation.”

Father Quaicoe stressed that the conclave of Cardinals, though shaped by the appointments of Pope Francis, would ultimately act under spiritual guidance rather than human politics. “The most important variable, as I’ll repeat, is God’s plan and design rather than what one would want or desire.”

He also highlighted the seriousness of the decision-making process, noting that cardinals cast their votes in the Sistine Chapel beneath Michelangelo’s depiction of the Last Judgement—a stark reminder of the spiritual weight of their choice.

While Africa has strong candidates like Cardinal Turkson and Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Father Quaicoe urged Catholics to focus their prayers on the Holy Spirit’s guidance. 

“So yes, Africa has candidates, and we pray for them. But we also pray that, notwithstanding, the one we will have—wherever he will come from—will be the one who is indeed chosen by God for his Church and for the world.”

Conclusion

The claim that the next pope will be the first Black or African pope is false. Popes Victor I, Miltiades, and Gelasius I, all from North Africa, served in the early history of the Church. While a sub-Saharan African pope would be a groundbreaking first, it would not be the first African papacy.