Following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, the Catholic Church has entered a solemn period of mourning while quietly turning its attention to the process of selecting the next pope. As discussions intensify ahead of the conclave, a list of 15 prominent cardinals from across the globe has emerged as potential successors—among them, two African cardinals are drawing significant global attention.
Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, aged 76, and Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of Congo, 65, have been named among the frontrunners in what could mark a historic moment for the Catholic Church.
Turkson, a former Archbishop of Cape Coast and longtime Vatican official, is renowned for his advocacy on social justice, climate change, and economic reform. A linguist and diplomat, he currently serves as Chancellor of both the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.
Ambongo, meanwhile, is a key member of Pope Francis’s Council of Cardinals and heads the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). He has emerged as a strong voice for conservative Catholic values and recently led African bishops in opposing same-sex blessings, underscoring his alignment with traditional Church doctrine.
While the list of papabili—“those who can become pope”—also includes leading cardinals from Europe, Asia, and the Americas, the possibility of electing the first Black pope has captured imaginations worldwide. The final decision, however, will rest with the College of Cardinals, who will soon gather at the Vatican for the highly secretive papal conclave.
As tributes continue to pour in for Pope Francis, attention remains fixed on who will carry forward his legacy—or chart a new direction for the 1.3 billion-strong global Catholic community.
See also: What Happens After a Pope Dies? A Look Into the Vatican’s Ancient Traditions
Rest in peace Pope