Next pope: Why Nigeria’s Cardinal Okpaleke isn’t a front runner revealed

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The statement astir who becomes Pope Francis' successor is simply a large interest successful the Catholic Church adjacent arsenic the College of Cardinals prepares to elite a caller pope
However, 2 African Cardinals—Peter Turkson of Ghana and Fridolin Ambongo Besungo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo—are seen arsenic superior contenders for the papacy, igniting discussions connected the anticipation of an African pope
Interestingly, Nigeria’s Peter Ebere Okpaleke has not emerged among the frontrunners owed to his constricted planetary illustration and past controversies

Legit.ng writer Esther Odili has implicit 2 years of acquisition covering governmental parties and movements

The satellite continues to mourn Pope Francis's passing, but a thought-provoking question arises: Could the adjacent pope beryllium of African descent?

As the contention to find a successor to Pope Francis heats up, galore radical are unaware that Africa has reportedly produced Popes before.

The overwhelming presumption among Africans is that determination has ne'er been a Pope from the continent, but past shows determination were apt three.

However, with discussions intensifying astir imaginable successors, overmuch attraction has turned to cardinals from Ghana and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Yet, the conspicuous lack of a Nigerian campaigner successful the spotlight raises eyebrows.

Context of Change

Legit.ng reported that connected Saturday, May 3, the cardinals of the Catholic Church held their ninth successful a series of near-daily meetings astatine the Vatican up of the predetermination of a caller pope.

The closed-door “general congregations” let them to sermon the challenges the successor to Pope Francis volition look earlier they are locked into the Sistine Chapel connected Wednesday, May 7, for the vote.

Pope Francis, who passed distant connected 21 April 2025, buried connected Saturday, April 26, leaves down a bequest some profound and far-reaching.

Yet, arsenic the College of Cardinals prepares for the upcoming conclave, lone 1 Nigerian cardinal, Peter Ebere Okpaleke, is eligible to ballot for the adjacent pope.

Peter Ebere Okpaleke: wherefore is helium not among the frontrunners?

The predetermination of a caller pope is simply a profoundly analyzable process, shaped by a myriad of factors, including a cardinal’s experience, theological stance, and capableness to unify the planetary Church.

Two African Cardinals, Peter Turkson of Ghana and Fridolin Ambongo Besungo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, person emerged arsenic apical contenders to win the precocious pontiff.

As reported by Vanguard, Cardinal Peter Okpaleke, appointed Bishop of Ekwulobia successful 2022, has faced notable challenges passim his clerical journey. His rejection by the Ahiara Diocese successful 2012 owed to taste tensions formed a agelong shadiness implicit his career.

Their extended experience, planetary visibility, and well-established networks marque them acquainted names wrong planetary Church circles. Okpaleke, by comparison, remains comparatively chartless extracurricular the Southeast of Nigeria.

A Catholic priest, who pleaded anonymity, reflected connected the enactment qualities required astatine this important juncture and wherefore Okpaleke is not among the apical contenders.

He said:

“The Church is looking for stableness and leadership. Okpaleke’s travel is commendable, but helium needs much clip to physique a planetary profile.”

We’re not praying for an African Pope —Archbishop Kaigama

Also speaking astir the anticipation of a Black African pope, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, offers a connection of hopeful realism.

Kaigama stated:

“Yes, it is possible. There are African Cardinals who are eligible. But we are not praying for an African pope, oregon an American pope, oregon an Asian pope. We are praying for a bully and beatified pope.”

This sentiment captures the deep-rooted religion of the Nigerian Catholic community, which remains spiritually connected to the papacy careless of whether 1 of their ain is elected.

Read much astir Trump, Pope here:

Food Cardinals devour earlier choosing caller pope

Legit.ng earlier reported that for much than 750 years, strict rules have governed the nutrient served to cardinals during a papal conclave to forestall immoderate anticipation of hidden messages influencing the election.

During the concealed predetermination for a caller pope—scheduled to statesman connected 7 May—135 cardinals volition beryllium secluded wrong the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel with nary outer connection allowed but for the accepted fume signals indicating voting results.

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Source: Legit.ng

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