Three Men Who Almost Became the First Black Pope

Nationwide — The Vatican has never had a Black pope in its centuries-long history, but there have been notable moments when that possibility came close to becoming reality. Three men — Cardinal Francis Arinze of Nigeria, Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of South Africa, and Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana — have each been widely discussed as potential candidates during papal conclaves. Their prominence in the Church and international influence positioned them as serious contenders, generating global interest during transitions of papal leadership.

Cardinal Francis Arinze of Nigeria was perhaps the most discussed Black papal contender during the 2005 conclave following the death of Pope John Paul II. Born in Nigeria in 1932, Arinze converted to Catholicism at age nine and was ordained in 1958. He quickly rose through the ranks, eventually serving as president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and later as Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. Known for his theological conservatism and international experience, Arinze was seen as a leading candidate, but ultimately, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected as Pope Benedict XVI.

Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of South Africa was another significant figure discussed during the 2013 papal transition following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Born in 1941 in the Eastern Cape province during apartheid, Napier was ordained in 1970 and became Archbishop of Durban. Appointed cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II, he was recognized for his outspoken views on poverty, social injustice, and the role of the Church in post-apartheid South Africa. Although his name circulated widely in discussions about a non-European pope, the conclave ultimately elected Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, who became Pope Francis.

Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana remains a visible figure in global Catholic leadership. Born in 1948, Turkson was ordained in 1975 and became the Archbishop of Cape Coast in 1992. He was made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2003. Known for his deep involvement in global issues such as climate change, economics, and social justice, Turkson has served as president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. During the 2013 conclave, he was considered by some Vatican observers as a possible successor to Pope Benedict XVI.

While none of these men were ultimately chosen, their candidacies were symbolically significant. Their visibility underscored the Catholic Church’s growing demographic shift toward Africa and Latin America, where the majority of the world’s Catholics now reside. The prospect of a Black pope remains a topic of public and scholarly interest, particularly as the Church continues to navigate its place in an increasingly diverse and globalized society.

As of today, no Black man has ascended to the papacy, but these three cardinals each made history in their own right by reshaping perceptions of who could lead the Catholic Church.