Top 2 African Cardinals Who Could Be the Next Pope

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at his home in Vatican City. Just one day earlier, he had appeared at St. Peter’s Square during the Easter celebration, waving to the crowd, even though he was recovering from double pneumonia.

Now that Pope Francis is gone, people are discussing who will become the next pope. This time, two African Cardinals are among the top names being considered: Cardinal Peter Turkson from Ghana and Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungo from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Their names are important because they show how Africa is becoming more important in the Catholic Church, especially as the number of Catholics on the continent keeps growing.

1. Cardinal Peter Turkson (Age 76, from Ghana)Cardinal Turkson is the only Cardinal from Ghana. He became a Cardinal in 2003, chosen by Pope John Paul II. He is known for his deep knowledge of the Bible and speaks several languages. He helped write a major Church document (Laudato Si’) about protecting the environment.

Although many people respect him, some see him as “too progressive,” which may have affected his chances of becoming pope in the past. In 2021, he was moved from a top position in the Vatican to a lower one, making some people wonder if he could manage the full duties of the pope.

2. Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungo (Age 65, from DRC)Cardinal Ambongo is from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He became a Cardinal in 2019 and leads the Archdiocese of Kinshasa, one of the biggest Catholic areas in the world, with around 7 million members.

People know him for being humble, focused on helping others, and working for peace. He doesn’t appear in the news much outside Africa, but many in the Church admire his work. Like Pope Francis, he belongs to a religious order, not a regular diocese, which gives him a different view on Church leadership.

Why This Is ImportantFor a long time, people have hoped that an African could become pope. Now, that hope may finally come true. The Catholic Church is growing fast in Africa, and it may be time for a pope who comes from this part of the world.

If either Turkson or Ambongo becomes pope, it would be a big moment for the Church and for Catholics across Africa. It would also show that the Church is ready to reflect its global diversity and welcome new leadership.

The process to choose the new pope is about to begin. All eyes are now on Africa to see what will happen next.