As the Catholic Church prepares for the sacred gathering of the Conclave following the passing of Pope Francis on 21st April, 2025, speculation and hope arise once again: Could Africa finally see one of its sons ascend to the papacy? The Church in Africa is vibrant, growing, and spiritually rich. Yet, in the eyes of many, the deeds of African political elites—particularly in places like Ghana—cast a long shadow over that possibility.
One cannot speak of the papacy in recent times without reflecting on the extraordinary example of Pope Francis. Since his election in 2013, he has become a beacon of simplicity, humility, and service. Choosing to live in a modest guesthouse instead of the opulent Apostolic Palace, washing the feet of prisoners and migrants, and constantly advocating for the poor and vulnerable, Pope Francis has redefined leadership not by power, but by service. He became a “Pope of the People,” not in word, but in radical deed.
Leading the papal race both in 2013 and now is Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Turkson, who served as the first prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, mirrors much of this ethos. Known for his intellectual depth and advocacy for social justice, he has often spoken boldly on issues of economic inequality, environmental degradation, and global injustice. He represents a Church that seeks not only to save souls but to heal societies and is in the best of shape to make history as the first African Pope.
Contrasting these virtues of leadership with the political landscape in Ghana—a nation brimming with religious fervor, yet plagued by a crisis of moral leadership, it is evident that politicians, many of whom proudly profess Christianity, exhibit a brand of leadership diametrically opposed to the Gospel values. Luxury motorcades zoom past struggling traders, while rural hospitals beg for basic medicine. Millions are spent on political campaigns, while school children sit on bare floors. The land wails as political bigwigs engage in illegal mining activities (galamsey) causing water crisis resulting from destruction of almost all water bodies in Ghana. The nation mourns not just economic decay, but ethical erosion.
For instance, during the recent election cycles, reports of vote-buying, misuse of state resources, and politically motivated violence abounded. High-profile corruption scandals, such as the rot exposed in procurement deals, and the reluctance of leadership to hold their own accountable, have created a widening trust deficit. It is not uncommon to see politicians cloaked in religious robes on Sundays, only to be exposed in damning investigative reports the following week.
This stark dissonance between faith and practice in Ghanaian political life does not go unnoticed on the global stage. For a region to produce a Pope, the world would expect it to reflect—at least in part—the values that the Church upholds at its highest level: compassion, sacrifice, justice, and integrity. However, African political figures often embody the very antithesis of these values, raising legitimate concerns about the moral climate that shapes public perception of African papal leadership in general.
It would be deeply unfair to blame either Cardinal Turkson or the Church in Africa for the failings of its political leaders. Yet, perception matters. The conclave does not elect only a theologian; it elects a moral compass for the world. Cardinals voting will not only consider doctrinal soundness or pastoral charisma but also the broader cultural and societal mirror a candidate represents. The excesses and arrogance of African political elites might unfairly taint the image of African leadership as a whole, thereby dimming the prospects of an African Pope, at least for now.
The Church in Africa must continue to distance itself from these corrupt practices and advocate for a different model of leadership. The cardinal virtues must not only dwell in seminaries and pulpits but should become visible in public life. If ever there was a time for the Church to provide a moral alternative to political rot, it is now.
Pope Francis showed the world that humility could reign from Rome. Can Africa show that too? The conclave may not just be electing a Pope—it may be evaluating the conscience of continents and for Africa to ascend spiritually on the global stage, it must first cleanse its political soul.
