Pope Francis: Meet 2 African Cardinals Who May Become the Next Pope

• Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta within Vatican City, sending shockwaves across the globe
• Just a day before his death, the Pontiff made a public appearance during Easter Sunday celebrations at St. Peter’s Square after surviving double pneumonia
• Two African Cardinals, Peter Turkson of Ghana and Fridolin Ambongo Besungo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo—have emerged as top contenders to succeed the late pontiff

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, better known as Pope Francis' death has sent shockwaves across the globe on Monday, April 21, 2025.

The Vatican confirmed that the pontiff passed away on Easter Monday at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta within Vatican City.

This happened a day after Pope Francis appeared in St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, April 20, after surviving a serious bout of double pneumonia, greeting thousands of worshippers despite health concerns after recent hospitalisation for pneumonia.

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However, people have discussed the possibility of an African pope ever since the internationalizing of the Roman curia following Vatican II, as Africa and Latin America came to represent the growing edge of Catholicism.

Two Cardinals have emerged as the pontiff's possible successor

All eyes are pointed towards Africa as Cardinals Turkson and Ambongo emerged as papal contenders;

1. Cardinal Peter Turkson (Age 76, Cardinal since 2003)

According to US Catholic, the only Ghanaian cardinal, Cardinal Turkson, presented a particularly compelling case in the years since being elevated by John Paul II.

He is a biblical scholar, multilingual, drafter of Francis’ Laudato Si’ (On Care for our Common Home) encyclical on care for creation, soft-spoken but charming, and shared a birthday with Vatican II.

This striking profile has, however, suffered by a general pigeonholing as a “progressive,” possibly explaining his not gaining traction as a candidate once the cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel in 2005 and 2013.

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Furthermore, in 2021, the Pope moved him from his post as head of the Vatican’s human development (think peace and justice) office to a less prominent role, raising the question of whether he would fit the administrative aspect of governing the entire church.

2. Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungo, O.F.M. Cap. (Age 65, Cardinal since 2019)

Another candidate on the list is Cardinal Ambongo Besungo, who hailed from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is 65 years old.

Cardinal Ambongo Besungo, who has been a Cardinal since 2019 and is strangely impressive for the leader of the largest diocese of Earth (Kinshasa has 7 million Catholics, per a probably-outdated statistic).

He is also known for his humble demeanor, pastoral focus, and peace advocacy, who reportedly maintained a low profile in the Northern and Western Hemispheres.

This fact perhaps drives home how the universal church is not bound by a Western/Eurocentric identity (at least not since Vatican II). However, another Francis echo lies in the cardinal’s identity as a religious priest rather a diocesan one.

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His age might stir a fresh debate if the conclave decides to consider his candidacy.

Read more about Pope Francis here:

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Pope Francis' death: 266 popes who have led the Catholic Church

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the papacy has been a key institution for nearly two millennia, shaping Catholic doctrine, guiding the faithful, and addressing global challenges.

Throughout history, popes have played both spiritual and political roles, leading reforms, influencing international relations, and facing rival claimants (antipopes).

The list of popes, from St. Peter to today, reflects the endurance and evolution of the Catholic Church, maintaining an unbroken chain of leadership. See more of the list here.

Source: Legit.ng