Cardinal Turkson and the Papal Conclave: Exploring the Possibility of a Black Pope

Why Cardinal Turkson Was Not Named Pope

Cardinal Peter Turkson, a 76-year-old Ghanaian prelate, was a strong contender in the 2025 papal conclave. His resume is impressive: former Archbishop of Cape Coast, head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Known for his advocacy on climate change, poverty, and human rights, Turkson blends theological conservatism with progressive social views, notably opposing the criminalization of homosexuality in Africa.

Despite his qualifications, several factors likely contributed to Turkson not being elected:

1. Vatican Politics and Alliances: The conclave is a complex political process where alliances and agendas play a significant role. Turkson, while respected, may not have secured the broad coalition needed among the 133 cardinal electors. His past comments, such as a 2012 statement perceived as fear-mongering about Islam in Europe (for which he apologized), might have alienated some voters.
2. Age and Tenure Concerns: At 76, Turkson’s age could have been a concern for cardinals seeking a longer-serving pope. While not as old as some past popes, younger candidates like Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo (65) might have been seen as offering a longer-term vision.
3. Lack of a Major Vatican Office: No African cardinal currently holds a top-tier Vatican position, which can influence visibility and influence during the conclave. Turkson’s current role as chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, while prestigious, is less central than roles like Vatican Secretary of State.
4. Geopolitical Considerations: The election of an American, Cardinal Robert Prevost, as Pope Leo XIV suggests cardinals prioritized a candidate from the Americas, possibly to balance global representation after Pope Francis, an Argentinian. Some cardinals may have hesitated to choose an African pope due to concerns about how it would shift the Church’s geopolitical dynamics.
5. Theological and Cultural Divide: Turkson’s nuanced stance—conservative on doctrine but progressive on social issues—might not have fully aligned with the priorities of either the traditionalist or progressive factions within the College of Cardinals. The conclave often seeks a candidate who can bridge these divides, and Prevost was seen as a “dignified middle of the road” choice.

The Conclave Voting Process: A Blend of Tradition and Politics

The papal conclave is one of the oldest democratic processes in the world, rooted in centuries-old traditions but driven by human and political dynamics. Here’s how it works:

• Eligibility and Electors: Only cardinals under 80 can vote, and in 2025, 135 cardinals from 71 countries were eligible, with 133 participating. The majority (108) were appointed by Pope Francis, reflecting his globalized vision.
• Secrecy and Ritual: Cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel, isolated from the outside world, with electronic devices banned to ensure secrecy. They vote in secret ballots, requiring a two-thirds majority (90 votes in 2025) to elect a pope. After each round, ballots are burned, producing black smoke if no pope is chosen or white smoke to signal a successful election.
• Deliberation and Influence: The days before the conclave involve informal discussions during the mourning period, where cardinals gauge each other’s priorities. These “general congregations” are critical for forming alliances. Voting can take multiple rounds—four per day—until a consensus emerges. If no candidate achieves a two-thirds majority after 33 rounds, a runoff between the top two candidates may occur.
• Guiding Factors: Cardinals consider theology, leadership style, global influence, and the Church’s needs. In 2025, they weighed Pope Francis’s progressive legacy against calls for a return to conservatism, alongside the Church’s growing diversity, with 20% of Catholics now in Africa.

The process is both spiritual and political, with cardinals seeking divine guidance but also navigating personal biases, regional interests, and global trends. As Vatican observer John Allen noted, “This is a supernatural process, but it’s no less human.”

Can There Ever Be a Black Pope?

The possibility of a Black pope is not only feasible but increasingly likely given the Church’s shifting demographics. Africa is home to 20% of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, and the continent’s Catholic population is growing faster than anywhere else. Here’s why a Black pope is plausible, and the challenges that remain:

• Historical Precedent: Three African popes served in the Church’s first 500 years—Victor I (189–199), Miltiades (311–314), and Gelasius I (492–496)—all from North Africa. However, none were from sub-Saharan Africa, and the papacy has been overwhelmingly European since.
• Growing African Influence: Pope Francis appointed a record number of non-European cardinals, with 12% of the 2025 electors from Africa, up from 8% in 2013. This trend suggests future conclaves will have more African voices.
• Viable Candidates: Cardinals like Turkson, Robert Sarah (Guinea), and Fridolin Ambongo (Congo) were considered “papabile” in 2025, reflecting Africa’s rising prominence. Their theological conservatism aligns with much of the continent’s Catholic ethos, though it may clash with progressive factions.
• Challenges: Some African Catholics perceive subtle discrimination within the Church, with a Congolese priest noting to AFP that “discrimination is still a reality” despite progress. Additionally, Africa’s limited representation in top Vatican offices and the Church’s slow response to issues like sexual abuse in Africa may make cardinals hesitant to choose an African pope.

There are no doctrinal barriers to a Black pope, and the increasing diversity of the College of Cardinals makes this milestone a matter of “when,” not “if.” As one observer put it, “The Church’s future is in Africa and Asia.”

Rumors and Sentiments in Black Communities and Africa

In Black communities, particularly in Africa, the prospect of a Black pope has sparked both hope and skepticism. Social media posts on X and interviews with African Catholics reveal a mix of pride, frustration, and cautious optimism:

• Hope and Pride: Many Africans, especially in Ghana, expressed excitement about Turkson’s candidacy. Akwasi Atuah, a Ghanaian in the UK, told the BBC, “Ghanaians are very patriotic people… Our Catholic members would love to see Cardinal Turkson as Pope.” Posts on X echoed this, with users like @CatholicArena stating, “An African Pope? Why not?”
• Frustration Over the Outcome: When Cardinal Prevost was elected, some X users voiced disappointment, feeling that African candidates like Turkson, Sarah, or Nigeria’s Francis Arinze (too old to vote in 2025) were overlooked despite their seniority. Posts from @1BongoIdeas and @thatverydarkma1 lamented, “In terms of seniority & experience… one of these 3 blacks was supposed to be Pope!”
• Skepticism About Readiness: Some Africans doubt the Church is ready for a Black pope. A Congolese priest told RFI, “There is a reason no African has been pope in 1,500 years.” This sentiment is echoed by those who see the Church’s European-centric history as a barrier. Luka Lawrence Ndenge from South Sudan told NBC News, “For us, it does not matter whether he is African, white, or Black. What matters is having a good, holy pope.”
• Cultural Significance: An African pope would be a powerful symbol for Black communities globally, signaling inclusion and representation. In Africa, where Catholicism is dynamic and socially engaged, a Black pope could amplify the Church’s focus on poverty, conflict, and justice—issues Turkson has championed.
• Rumors of Bias: Whispers of racial bias persist, with some X users speculating that the conclave favored a “safer” choice in Prevost, an American, over an African candidate. These claims lack evidence but reflect a broader perception of systemic hurdles.

Conclusion: A Milestone on the Horizon

The 2025 conclave did not produce a Black pope, but the prominence of Cardinal Turkson and other African candidates signals a Church in transition. The conclave’s voting process, a blend of sacred ritual and human politics, favored a compromise candidate in Pope Leo XIV, but Africa’s growing Catholic population and cardinal representation make a Black pope increasingly likely in the future. In Black communities and Africa, the dream of a Black pope carries deep cultural and spiritual weight, tempered by realistic doubts about timing and readiness.

As the Catholic Church navigates a globalized world, the question is not whether a Black pope will emerge, but when. For now, Cardinal Turkson remains a beacon of possibility, and the hopes of millions rest on the next conclave to rewrite history.