As the Catholic world begins the solemn ritual of mourning Pope Francis, a quieter but no less historic conversation is unfolding in the corridors of the Vatican: Could the next pontiff be African?
Among the names surfacing in hushed discussions and private gatherings are Cardinal Fridolin Besungu of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana — two African prelates who now stand closer than ever to the papacy.
If either is chosen, it would mark the first time in over 1,500 years that a pope hails from the African continent.
Cardinal Fridolin Besungu: The Bold Shepherd of Kinshasa
At 65, Cardinal Besungu is one of the youngest cardinals in contention. Known for his unwavering defense of democracy and the poor, Besungu currently serves as Archbishop of Kinshasa and is a member of the Capuchin Franciscan order — the same spiritual lineage that inspired Pope Francis’s name.
His outspoken nature has earned him admiration and criticism alike. He fiercely opposed former Congolese President Joseph Kabila’s efforts to delay elections and more recently condemned ongoing security failures in Congo’s eastern region.
That candor now threatens to complicate his papal prospects; an investigation authorized by President Félix Tshisekedi could see him charged with sedition, potentially weakening his standing in the eyes of some cardinals.
Still, Besungu’s pan-African reputation as a reformer and moral voice cannot be ignored. He symbolizes a growing Catholic base in Africa — a continent where the Church is vibrant and expanding rapidly.
Cardinal Peter Turkson: The Diplomatic Intellectual
On the other side of the continent is 76-year-old Cardinal Peter Turkson, widely viewed as papabile since the 2013 conclave.
A theologian and former funk band guitarist, Turkson has spent decades at the heart of Vatican affairs. From social justice to environmental advocacy, his voice has echoed the Church’s evolving stance under Pope Francis.
As the inaugural head of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Turkson was a key figure behind Laudato si’, the groundbreaking encyclical on climate change. Fluent in more than six languages and a scholar of sacred scripture, he carries the globalist profile many Vatican insiders admire.
Turkson’s age and proximity to the current Vatican establishment could cut both ways: while some see him as a safe choice to continue Francis’s agenda, others may view his time as passed.
The Wider Field
Besungu and Turkson are among several high-profile contenders. Other notable candidates include:
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines): Known as the “Asian Francis”;, a progressive and strong voice for inclusion.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy): Vatican secretary of state, balancing diplomacy and doctrinal moderation.
Cardinal Peter Erdo (Hungary): A conservative canon law expert with strong Orthodox ties.
Cardinal Angelo Scola (Italy): A traditionalist with papal ambitions dating back to 2013.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy): A progressive close to Pope Francis and an advocate for LGBTQ+ pastoral care.
Cardinal Gérald Lacroix (Canada): A seasoned leader with a missionary vision, though shadowed by past allegations later dismissed.
The College of Cardinals is notoriously difficult to predict. The last two popes — Benedict XVI and Francis — came from outside Italy, breaking long-standing traditions.
With Africa now home to more than 200 million Catholics, the idea of a pope from Kinshasa or Cape Coast no longer seems far-fetched.
Whether it’s Besungu’s fiery advocacy or Turkson’s seasoned diplomacy, the rise of either would be seismic — a return to the Church’s ancient African roots and a signal of its 21st-century transformation.
For now, the world watches and waits as white smoke prepares to rise again.
