Will Africa's next pope rise from the south? Why and how?

North Africa, once a vibrant Christian center, was home to several popes who shaped the Catholic Church’s history. Today, predominantly Muslim, the region longs for a return to papal leadership from Africa, a possibility that has not occurred in over 1,500 years.

In ancient times, North Africa was a Christian stronghold, with figures like Pope Victor I, who helped establish Easter as a Sunday observance, bringing unity to Christian celebrations. Known for his forceful leadership, he also introduced Latin as the Church’s official language. Pope Miltiades, another African pope, oversaw Christianity’s acceptance by the Roman Empire. He was the first to receive a papal residence, with the Lateran Basilica becoming the “mother of all churches.”

Pope Gelasius I, while possibly of Roman birth, was a key figure in defining the Pope’s role as the “Vicar of Christ” and for establishing the celebration of St. Valentine’s Day, Christianizing Roman traditions. His strong stance during the Acacian Schism reaffirmed Rome’s authority over the Church, making him a pivotal figure.

Since Gelasius I, Africa has not produced a pope, despite Catholicism flourishing in sub-Saharan Africa, where the number of Catholics is growing. Today, candidates from Africa, including Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, and Robert Sarah, may carry the legacy of these early papal giants.

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