African Catholics root for first Black pope in modern history

Bangkok Post Group

Africans are hoping one of their own could become the first Black pope in over a millennium and build on Francis's legacy of championing the developing world, though the chances of that happening appear slim. - REUTERS

Transcript

00:00At this church in Ivory Coast, some African Catholics are hoping that one of their own

00:06could become the first black pope in modern history.

00:10Among them, Jean-Luc Gobert.

00:12He says his greatest wish is for the next pope to be a black man.

00:17And if not, then a white man who is truly a leader.

00:23However, while some African contenders' names have been circulating,

00:27Vatican insiders are sceptical that any of them have a realistic chance.

00:32That's partly because none have been subjected to the same level of public scrutiny as most

00:37Western cardinals, and that is a potential concern for an institution that has been shaken

00:42by devastating scandals in recent decades.

00:47Though there are several arguments for an African pope.

00:51The continent boasted around 20% of the world's Catholics in 2023.

00:55It is also, according to Vatican figures, where the Catholic Church is growing fastest.

01:02And some suggest an African pope is long overdue.

01:06Scholars researching the early church have cited evidence that some first millennium popes

01:10were born in North Africa or were of African descent, though details are scant.

01:15Among African names tipped to be potential candidates are Ghana's Cardinal Peter Codwoa Pia Turkson,

01:22Ivory Coast's Cardinal Inyaz Bessi Dogbo, and the Archbishop of Democratic Republic of Congo's

01:28Kinshasa, Fridolin Mbongo Bisongu.

01:31The elevation of an African cardinal to the papal throne would be widely interpreted as a continuation

01:41of Francis' track record of standing up for the poor and oppressed, migrants and civilians fleeing war.

01:47But an African pope would not necessarily embrace Francis' more socially progressive positions.

01:55In particular, approving the blessing of same-sex couples on a case-by-case basis

01:59has already angered Africa's overwhelmingly conservative faithful.

02:03And that's why it's so beautiful.

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