Following the death of Pope Francis on Monday at the age of 88, the Vatican has announced that his body will lie in state inside St. Peter’s Basilica until his funeral on Saturday. Public viewing begins Wednesday, allowing mourners to pay their final respects to the pontiff who led the Catholic Church for 12 transformative years. As preparations for the papal conclave begin, speculation is intensifying around who might succeed him — and several contenders from Commonwealth countries are gaining attention.
Among them is Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, a respected figure known for his work on the climate crisis, economic justice, and human rights. Turkson, 76, would be the first Black pope in centuries. While he has traditionally supported Church teachings on marriage and priesthood, he has also shown a progressive edge, calling for more compassionate laws regarding homosexuality in African nations.
Another contender is Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea, a staunch traditionalist who has spoken out against what he terms “gender ideology” and Islamic extremism. Though conservative, Sarah’s candidacy would also mark a historical moment, as he too would be among the first Black popes in modern history. His past opposition to Francis’s reforms may appeal to cardinals seeking a return to a more orthodox papacy.
Among the candidates is Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, a respected figure known for his work in the climate crisis, economic justice, and human rights. Turkson, 76, would be the first Black pope in centuries. While he has traditionally supported Church teachings on marriage and priesthood, he has also shown a progressive edge, calling for more compassionate laws regarding homosexuality in African nations.
From Canada, Cardinal Marc Ouellet is another influential figure in the running. A seasoned Vatican insider, Ouellet led the Congregation for Bishops for over a decade, helping shape the global episcopate. Though more conservative than Pope Francis, he has also advocated for greater roles for women in church governance and has strong ties to the Latin American church. His administrative experience and global connections could position him as a unity candidate in a deeply diverse conclave.
In Sri Lanka, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, represents a blend of Benedict XVI’s doctrinal conservatism with Francis’s concern for the environment and the poor. As Catholicism experiences growth across South Asia, Ranjith’s elevation would reflect the shifting demographics of the global Church.
The Commonwealth today contains a significant share of the world’s Catholic population, making up roughly over 127 million citizens, with Nigeria having the largest Catholic community within the Commonwealth, consisting of approximately 17.9 million citizens. India closely follows with a similar count of about 17 million. Other countries like Canada, Mozambique, and Ghana, too, have millions of practicing Catholics, many of whom are young and active in their faith communities. This demographic reality may influence the cardinals’ decision, prompting them to consider a pope who reflects the Church’s vibrant future outside of Europe.
As the conclave approaches, there is a widespread belief that the cardinals will select a candidate who possesses stability and comprehends the swift transformation of Catholicism worldwide.
