Africans are hoping one of their own could become the first Black pope in over a millennium and build on Francis's legacy of championing the developing world, though the chances of that happening appear slim. - REUTERS
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00:00At this church in Ivory Coast, some African Catholics are hoping that one of their own
00:06could become the first black pope in modern history.
00:10Among them, Jean-Luc Gobert.
00:12He says his greatest wish is for the next pope to be a black man.
00:17And if not, then a white man who is truly a leader.
00:23However, while some African contenders' names have been circulating,
00:27Vatican insiders are sceptical that any of them have a realistic chance.
00:32That's partly because none have been subjected to the same level of public scrutiny as most
00:37Western cardinals, and that is a potential concern for an institution that has been shaken
00:42by devastating scandals in recent decades.
00:47Though there are several arguments for an African pope.
00:51The continent boasted around 20% of the world's Catholics in 2023.
00:55It is also, according to Vatican figures, where the Catholic Church is growing fastest.
01:02And some suggest an African pope is long overdue.
01:06Scholars researching the early church have cited evidence that some first millennium popes
01:10were born in North Africa or were of African descent, though details are scant.
01:15Among African names tipped to be potential candidates are Ghana's Cardinal Peter Codwoa Pia Turkson,
01:22Ivory Coast's Cardinal Inyaz Bessi Dogbo, and the Archbishop of Democratic Republic of Congo's
01:28Kinshasa, Fridolin Mbongo Bisongu.
01:31The elevation of an African cardinal to the papal throne would be widely interpreted as a continuation
01:41of Francis' track record of standing up for the poor and oppressed, migrants and civilians fleeing war.
01:47But an African pope would not necessarily embrace Francis' more socially progressive positions.
01:55In particular, approving the blessing of same-sex couples on a case-by-case basis
01:59has already angered Africa's overwhelmingly conservative faithful.
02:03And that's why it's so beautiful.