See the names of the three Popes that were from Africa

• As the contention to find a successor to Pope Francis hots up, galore radical are not alert that Africa has 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 three
• The names of the 3 Popes said to beryllium from Africa are disposable online, though they did not reign during the modern era

Pope Francis' decease has thrown the Papal spot vacant, opening up a contention for a successor to emerge.

Many radical from Africa are clamouring for a Pope to beryllium chosen from the continent, fixed that nary African has occupied the presumption successful the modern era.

St. Miltiades, Pope Victor I and St. Gelasius I were 3 Popes who were said to beryllium from Africa. Photo credit: Catholic Online, Catholic News Agency and JHIA.
Source: UGC

Possible names suggested from Africa are Guinean Cardinal Robert Sarah and Cardinal Peter Turkson from Ghana.

Many radical deliberation that Africa has ne'er produced a Pope astatine all, but historically, determination were astir apt Popes who hailed from the continent.

Speaking to BBC Pidgin, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of the Catholic Diocese of Abuja said determination person been Popes from Africa.

He said:

"Historically, we were told that determination were Popes who were Black. But that was possibly successful the aboriginal centuries of the church. But successful modern times, determination hasn't been immoderate Black Pope."

So, who were the African Popes that headed the Catholic religion successful the aboriginal centuries? Legit.ng looked done the archives and recovered the 3 names of the Popes said to beryllium from Africa. They reigned a precise agelong clip ago.

1. Pope Victor I

According to humanities records disposable successful the Catholic Encyclopedia, helium was calved successful Africa, but his day of commencement is unknown.

He was said to beryllium a autochthonal of Africa, and his father's sanction was fixed arsenic Felix. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, Pope Victor reigned from astir 189 to 198/199. His papacy was said to person lasted 12 years.

Pope Victor is credited with immoderate changes which are inactive successful signifier to date.

Encyclopedia Britannica writes:

"Under Victor, Latin replaced Greek arsenic the authoritative connection of the Roman church, and Victor himself wrote successful Latin."

2. Pope Miltiades

Another Pope said to beryllium of African root was Pope Miltiades who astir apt died January 10 oregon 11 314.

The probable day for his elevation to the papal spot is fixed July 2, 310 oregon 311.

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia:

"On 2 July, 310 oregon 311, Miltiadea (the sanction is besides written Melchiades), a autochthonal of Africa, was elevated to the papacy. There is immoderate uncertainty arsenic to the nonstop year, arsenic the "Liberian Catalogue of the Popes" gives 2 July, 311, arsenic the day of the consecration of the caller pope. But successful contradiction to this the decease of the pope is said to person occurred connected 2 January, 314, and the duration of the pontificate is fixed arsenic 3 years, six months and 8 days."

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama said the religion is praying for a beatified Pope aft the decease of Pope Francis. Photo credit: Facebook/BBC Pidgin and Getty Images/Buda Mendes.
Source: UGC

Also, Catholic Online, a website that curates accusation astir the Catholic Church, writes that Pope Miltiades was of North African descent.

It states:

"The twelvemonth of Miltiades' commencement is unknown. Still, it is known that helium was of North African descent and, according to the Liber Pontificalis, compiled from the 5th period onwards, a Roman citizen.

"Pope Miltiades was the bishop of Rome from 311 to his decease connected 10 oregon 11 January 314."

3. Pope Gelasius I

Pope Gelasius I, who led the Catholic religion from 492 CE to 496 CE, is said to beryllium from Africa.

According to records seen successful Encyclopedia Britannica, Pope Gelasius I Rome of African descent, died November 19, 496, successful Rome.

The Catholic Encyclopedia writes that Pope Gelasius I was thought to beryllium African.

It says:

"The assertion of the "Liber Pontificalis" that helium was natione Afer is consequently taken by galore to mean that helium was of African origin, though Roman born."

Man praises Pope Francis' sacrificial life

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that aft the decease of Pope Francis, many societal media users took to respective platforms to mourn the departed religion leader.

Many radical extolled the bully qualities of the precocious person of the Vatican, who died astatine 7:35am connected Easter Monday, 2025.

One of those who reacted is simply a Nigerian Facebook user, Charles Awuzie, who said Pope Francis lived a beingness of sacrifice.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck retired quality that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” artifact connected the location leafage and enjoy!

Source: Legit.ng