Pope Francis: meet 2 African cardinals who may become the next Pope

The Vatican has confirmed the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday.

He passed away peacefully at his residence, Casa Santa Marta, within Vatican City.

The pontiff, aged 88, had appeared publicly just a day earlier in St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025 .

Despite recent health concerns and a serious bout of double pneumonia, he greeted thousands of worshippers.

His death marks the end of a historic papacy and has immediately shifted global attention to the next conclave.

Talk of an African pope has intensified, especially as the Church continues to grow rapidly in Africa and Latin America.

Since Vatican II, the Roman Curia has become more international, and speculation over a non-European successor has gained momentum.

Two African cardinals—Peter Turkson of Ghana and Fridolin Ambongo Besungo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo—have emerged as leading contenders.

Cardinal Peter Turkson: A Veteran Voice from Ghana

Cardinal Peter Turkson, 76, was elevated to the cardinalate in 2003 by Pope John Paul II.

He is a respected biblical scholar, multilingual, and helped draft Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical Laudato Si’.

Soft-spoken but deeply intelligent, Turkson has long been viewed as a progressive within the Church.

This reputation may have hampered his chances in past conclaves, including 2005 and 2013.

In 2021, Pope Francis moved him from his post as head of the Vatican’s human development office to a less prominent role.

This shift raised questions about his suitability for the demanding administrative duties of the papacy.

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo: The Quiet Giant from Congo

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungo, aged 65, leads the vast Archdiocese of Kinshasa, which counts more than 7 million Catholics.

Though a relatively recent cardinal—elevated in 2019—he has quietly built a reputation as a humble and pastoral leader, known for his commitment to peace and justice.

His low international profile may work in his favour, echoing Pope Francis’ rise in 2013 from what he described as “the ends of the Earth.”

Ambongo’s identity as a religious priest, rather than a diocesan one, mirrors the late pope’s own background and may influence voting cardinals looking for continuity.

His age and moderate stance position him as a potential unifier across theological divides.

With the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church stands at a major crossroads.

The upcoming conclave will not only decide the next pope but also signal the direction the Church will take in a fast-changing world.

Whether the cardinals choose a leader from Africa could mark a historic shift, underscoring the Church’s growing global diversity and the waning dominance of European leadership.

As preparations begin for the conclave, the faithful around the world watch and pray for divine guidance in choosing the next successor to Saint Peter.

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