AFRICAN CARDINALS WHO COULD BE THE NEXT POPE

Following the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, the Catholic Church has begun preparations for the conclave that will elect its next spiritual leader. 

Among the prominent candidates are two distinguished African cardinals Ghana’s Peter Turkson and Guinea’s Robert Sarah whose potential election could mark a historic moment in Church leadership.

Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church passed away at his residence in Casa Santa Marta.  Cardinal Peter Turkson (76), the first Ghanaian cardinal, has long been recognised as a leading figure in Vatican affairs. Appointed Archbishop of Cape Coast by Pope John Paul II in 1992 and elevated to cardinal in 2003, Turkson has been a vocal advocate for social justice, climate action, and interfaith dialogue.

Cardinal Robert Sarah (79), a respected yet polarising figure, is renowned for his commitment to traditional Catholic teachings. The Guinean prelate served as Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship until 2021, where he championed the revival of Latin Mass and resisted progressive reforms. A vocal critic of secularism and moral relativism, Sarah has opposed same-sex marriage, abortion, and gender ideology while warning against the rise of Islamic extremism. His 2016 call for priests to face the altar during Mass a practice discontinued after Vatican II sparked intense debate, his influence among conservative Catholics.