Where will the next pope come from? Analysts say it could be Africa’s time

Fox News - Apr 21st, 2025

With the recent passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88, discussions are underway regarding his successor, with a significant focus on candidates from Africa. The continent has seen a substantial growth in its Catholic population, making it the fastest-growing region for the Church. Three African cardinals are considered potential papal candidates: Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson from Ghana, and Cardinal Robert Sarah from Guinea. However, Cardinal Sarah's age may be a limiting factor in his candidacy.

The possibility of an African pope is seen as both a symbolic and practical move, reflecting the Church's growing demographic shift and the resilience of African Christians in the face of persecution. Analysts suggest that this could bring a fresh perspective to the papacy, potentially uniting divergent ideological groups within the Church. The African Church's generally conservative stance may appeal to traditionalists, although there are concerns about a hardline approach. Historically, an African pope would not be unprecedented, as Africa has provided pontiffs in the distant past, adding a layer of historical significance to the potential election.

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RATING

5.8

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and engaging discussion on the potential for an African pope, highlighting the rapid growth of Catholicism in Africa and the challenges faced by African Catholics. While it presents a balanced view of the opportunities and challenges, the article's credibility is weakened by its reliance on unnamed sources and a lack of transparency regarding its data. The clarity and readability of the article are strengths, though greater transparency and more authoritative sourcing would enhance its accuracy and impact. Overall, the article effectively raises important questions about diversity and representation within the Catholic Church, though it could be improved by including more diverse perspectives and clearer sourcing.

Accuracy

The article presents a mix of accurate and less verifiable claims. It correctly identifies Africa's growing importance in global Catholicism, citing the Vatican's report of 7.27 million new Catholics in Africa, which aligns with 2022 data. However, it inaccurately suggests this growth occurred in the last year without clear sourcing for 2023/2024. The claim that Nigeria has the highest weekly Mass attendance at 94% is not directly supported by the cited sources, though it reflects broader trends of high religious engagement in Africa. Additionally, the article's statistics on persecution in Nigeria, stating 52,000 Christians have been killed since 2009, are not corroborated by independent sources. The mention of papabile candidates is mostly accurate, though it overlooks Cardinal Sarah's ineligibility to vote due to age, which diminishes his candidacy likelihood.

Balance

The article provides a balanced view of the potential for an African pope, presenting both the opportunities and challenges. It discusses the rapid growth of Catholicism in Africa and the potential for an African pope to unify divergent ideological groups. However, it also acknowledges the conservative nature of African candidates, which could be a turnoff for some cardinal-electors. By including perspectives from multiple analysts, the article attempts to present a well-rounded view, though it could benefit from more voices, particularly from African church leaders themselves, to provide a more comprehensive perspective.

Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, making it accessible to a general audience. It logically presents the argument for an African pope, supported by statistics and expert opinions. However, the flow could be improved by better distinguishing between factual claims and speculative analysis. The use of multiple quotes and examples helps maintain reader engagement, though some sections could benefit from clearer transitions between topics.

Source quality

The article relies heavily on Fox News Digital's understanding and unnamed analysts, which diminishes its source credibility. While it references the Vatican and reputable figures like Greg Tobin and Jonathan Morris, the lack of direct quotes or citations from primary sources, such as the Vatican's statistical reports or CARA's data, weakens the reliability of the information presented. More authoritative sources or direct access to Vatican documents would enhance the article's credibility.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency regarding its sources and methodology. It does not clearly explain how certain statistics, such as the number of new African Catholics or the high Mass attendance rates, were obtained. Additionally, the article does not disclose potential conflicts of interest or biases from the analysts cited. Greater transparency about the basis for these claims and the potential influences on the analysts' perspectives would improve the article's transparency.