Was the Vatican unfair in not electing a Black Pope? Criticizing the Conclave’s decision
Cardinal Peter Turkson (left), Cardinal Robert Sarah (center), and Cardinal Fridoyin (right). Photo Credit- Matooke Republic
On May 8, 2025, white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff in the Catholic Church’s history. While this marked a historic moment for the United States, it also reignited a long-standing debate about representation and fairness in the Vatican’s selection process. Critics on social media have expressed their frustration at the Vatican for bypassing three highly experienced African cardinals; Peter Turkson of Ghana, Robert Sarah of Guinea, and Francis Arinze of Nigeria to elect a white American who, according to them, “was not even in the top 5” contenders. The question looms large: was the Vatican unfair in not electing a Black man as the next pope? The answer is complicated, but the decision reveals deep systemic issues within the Church that deserve scrutiny.
Why they should have been an African Pope
The Catholic Church is a global institution, with over 1.3 billion members as of 2023, according to Vatican statistics. Africa is the fastest-growing region for Catholicism, boasting 281 million Catholics approximately 20% of the global total, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center report. This growth shows a clear difference with Europe, where Catholic numbers are either stagnating or declining. With this demographic shift, the expectation for an African pope is not merely symbolic but practical. Africa’s cardinals, such as Turkson, Sarah, and Arinze, are not just senior figures; they represent a continent that is shaping the future of the Catholic faith.
Cardinal Peter Turkson, for instance, has been a prominent voice on climate change and social justice, aligning with Pope Francis’ priorities. Cardinal Robert Sarah, though more conservative, has a global following and decades of Vatican experience. Cardinal Francis Arinze, a veteran of the Curia, was once considered a frontrunner during the 2005 conclave. These men are not lacking in qualifications each has held significant roles, from Turkson’s leadership in the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development to Arinze’s tenure as Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship. Their exclusion raises questions about whether the Vatican truly values the perspectives of its African faithful or if Eurocentrism continues to dominate its decision-making.
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Was the selection of Pope Leo XIV a missed opportunity?
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost’s election as Pope Leo XIV holds some merit. A Chicago-born prelate with a background in mathematics from Villanova University and a doctorate in canon law, Prevost has a robust resume. His tenure as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops gave him influence over global episcopal appointments, and his missionary work in Peru demonstrates a commitment to the Church’s global mission. Additionally, his alignment with Francis’ vision of the Church’s doctrines emphasizing inclusivity and lay involvement likely appealed to the conclave’s 135 cardinal electors, 110 of whom were appointed by Francis, according to a 2025 Guardian report.
However, Prevost’s election cannot be set apart from the broader context of Vatican politics. The conclave, a secretive process rooted in centuries-old traditions, is not immune to factionalism and cultural biases. A 2025 MSNBC article noted that no African cardinal holds a major Vatican office, a structural disadvantage that limits their visibility and influence. While Francis increased African representation in the College of Cardinals to 12% by 2023 (BBC, 2025), the conservative European bloc still a dominant force may have favoured Prevost due to his Western background and ties to the Augustinian order, a historically influential group in the Catholic Church. This decision, even though it can be defended, feels like a missed opportunity to reflect the Church’s global diversity.
Counterarguments: Was the decision truly unfair?
To draw a balance on this controversy, the conclave’s decision is not solely about race, it is about theology, politics, and vision for the Church’s future. Prevost’s election may reflect a desire for continuity with Francis’ reforms, particularly his emphasis on church tributes and addressing global controversies, as noted in a 2024 College of Cardinals Report. African cardinals like Sarah, who has opposed same-sex marriage, or Turkson, whose progressive stances on climate may not align with conservatives, might have struggled to secure the required two-thirds majority in a divided conclave. Additionally, the MSNBC article points out that age can be a factor Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besengu of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, another African contender, was considered too young at 65, as electors often prefer shorter papacies to avoid long-term periods in the Church’s order.
Moreover, the Church’s universal mission is far beyond race alone. Apostle Paul’s words in Galatians 3:26-28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” are often cited to argue that the papacy should not be reduced to identity politics. Prevost’s election as an American, a first in itself, can be seen as a step toward making the Church’s leadership beyond Europe, even if it does not address African representation directly.
Final take
The election of Pope Leo XIV is a milestone for American Catholics, but it is also a missed opportunity to signal that the Church truly belongs to all its members. The Vatican was not necessarily “unfair” in a procedural sense, but its decision perpetuates a Eurocentric status quo that feels increasingly out of step with the Church’s global makeup. An African pope would have been a powerful symbol of inclusion, a chance to settle historical identity conflicts, and a recognition of Africa’s vital role in future of Catholicism. Instead, the conclave’s choice has deepened mistrust among some of the faithful, as seen by the outcry on social media.
The Catholic Church must do more than issue statements condemning racism it must dismantle the structural barriers that keep African cardinals on the surface. Until then, the dream of a Black pope will remain just that: a dream deferred, leaving millions to wonder if the Vatican will ever truly reflect the universal Church it claims to be.
