The conclave, which will elect the next pope, is set to take place early next month, with black cardinals from Africa being mentioned as candidates for the next pope. These include Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, a close aide to Pope Francis. What is the reason that Africa, which has been seen as 'marginal' in Catholicism, is gaining attention?
On the 27th (local time), The Washington Post (WP) reported in an article titled, "Africa has played a significant role during Pope Francis’ papacy and will lead the future of the Catholic Church," that "African cardinals will play a key role in electing the next pope." The reason is that Pope Francis has elevated the status of African church leaders, who will contribute to the election of his successor and shape the future of the Church.
Pope Francis has been nominating a diverse range of cardinal candidates to reflect demographic changes, thereby increasing the number of cardinals from Africa. Currently, out of 135 voting cardinals, 18 are from Africa. The proportion of African cardinals among the voting cardinals in the conclave has more than doubled from approximately 7% in 2014 (8 out of 118) to 13% (18 out of 135).
The next pope will be elected by receiving more than two-thirds of the votes from the voting cardinals, making the composition of cardinals from each continent a significant variable. The number of cardinals from Africa is the fourth largest, following Europe (53), North America (20), and Asia (23). This has raised the possibility of the first pope of Asian and African descent in the history of Catholicism in the year 2000.
Moreover, the number of Catholic believers in Africa continues to rise steadily. According to the Vatican, during Pope Francis’ 12-year term, the number of Catholics in Africa increased by about 60%, from 176 million to 281 million. Today, one in five Catholics around the world resides in Africa. Notably, the Congo has about 55 million baptized Catholics, and Nigeria's baptized believers reach 35 million.
This contrasts with the declining number of Catholics on other continents. The decline in believers in South America, which once had more than 90% of its population as Catholic, is particularly pronounced. According to the polling agency Latinobarómetro, the percentage of Catholics in Latin America dropped from 70% in 2010 to 57% in 2020. The Vatican has stated that the number of priests is increasing only in Africa and Asia.
Father Stephen Anaeud of the diocese in northwestern Nigeria said, "Africa is now the hope of the Catholic Church," adding that "in the past, white Western missionaries taught us religion, but now Africans will spread the Gospel throughout the world."
The faith life of African Catholics is also very active. According to a study by Georgetown University, 94% of Nigerian Catholics participate in Mass at least once a week. Johnston Kpilaka, a 25-year-old writer and Catholic believer active in Nigeria, stated, "The youth of Africa are actively shaping the future of the Catholic Church."
WP noted that "whoever is elected pope, Africa will play a crucial role in determining the direction of faith," highlighting that "among the 135 eligible voters in the conclave, 18 are from Africa, raising speculation that an African pope could emerge for the first time in modern history." It added that "the African Church is much more conservative than other regions."