The death of Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, has sent waves of grief across the world. The pontiff died peacefully at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City, a day after making a public appearance during the Easter Sunday celebrations in St. Peter’s Square. He had just recently survived a bout of double pneumonia, which had led to brief hospitalization.
With the papal seat now vacant, attention has turned toward possible successors. Among the leading contenders are two prominent African cardinals—Peter Turkson of Ghana and Fridolin Ambongo Besungo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A New Era? The Possibility of an African Pope
The idea of an African pope has long been discussed, especially since Vatican II opened the door to a more global representation within the Church. With Catholicism growing rapidly in Africa and Latin America, the possibility now feels more tangible than ever.
Cardinal Peter Turkson – A Veteran with Global Influence
Cardinal Turkson, aged 76, has been a cardinal since 2003 and holds a distinguished reputation in Vatican circles. As noted by US Catholic, he is a biblical scholar, multilingual, and played a key role in drafting Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ (On Care for Our Common Home). He is “soft-spoken but charming,” and notably shares a “birthday with Vatican II.”
However, some observers believe his prospects have been affected by being labeled as “progressive,” which may have hindered his traction during previous papal conclaves in 2005 and 2013. In 2021, he was reassigned by Pope Francis from heading the Vatican’s office for human development to a less prominent position, prompting questions about whether he is suited for the demanding administrative role of pope.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungo – A Humble Shepherd from the DRC
At 65, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungo is considered by many to be a “sleeper candidate”—less visible on the global stage but deeply respected in ecclesiastical circles. As leader of the Archdiocese of Kinshasa, which serves about 7 million Catholics, he has shown strong pastoral focus and commitment to peacebuilding.
Described as having a “humble demeanor” and often maintaining “a low profile in the Northern and Western Hemispheres,” his candidacy highlights how the Catholic Church is no longer confined by a “Western/Eurocentric identity.” This shift recalls Pope Francis’ own observation that his fellow cardinals had found him “from the ends of the Earth.”
Moreover, Ambongo’s identity as a religious priest—specifically a Capuchin—offers a compelling parallel to Francis, who was the first Jesuit pope. The symbolic continuity between a Jesuit pope named Francis and a potential Franciscan successor could carry deep resonance within the Church.
Still, some consider his relatively young age a factor in the deliberations. Yet, Pope Francis, elected at 76, defied expectations by serving for over a decade, suggesting that youth may not be a disqualifier after all.
As the College of Cardinals prepares for the next conclave, the possibility of an African pope stands closer to reality than ever before, with Cardinals Turkson and Ambongo representing not just a continent, but a vision of the Church’s evolving future.
