Pope Francis Dies: Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Turkson Eyed as First African Pope in a Millennium

Nairobi, April 21 – He once kissed the feet of warlords in South Sudan. He stood in the rain in Nairobi’s Kangemi and called out the “dignity-stripping injustice” of exclusion. His death marks the end of a papacy defined by humility, reform, justice, and inclusivity — but also marked by controversy.

On Easter Monday, April 21, the world awoke to the solemn news that Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and a transformative spiritual leader, had died at the age of 88. His death came just one day after he made a brief appearance in Saint Peter’s Square to wish thousands of worshippers a “Happy Easter.” The Vatican confirmed his passing in a video statement early Monday, revealing he died at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, just weeks after surviving a serious bout of double pneumonia.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo charged with overseeing the Vatican during the sede vacante (the period when the papal seat is vacant), announced the Pope’s passing with “profound sadness.” His death plunges more than 1.3 billion Roman Catholics into mourning, while initiating the traditional process of selecting a new pope through a secretive conclave of cardinals. Several candidates are being speculated as potential successors, including Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy, and Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana. Turkson, if elected, would become the first African pope in over a millennium. Others probable from Africa include Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, 65, from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Guinea’s Cardinal Robert Sarah, who is viewed as less likely due his being 80 years old.

Kenya’s President William Ruto led tributes in East Africa, describing Pope Francis as a servant who exemplified humility, inclusivity, justice, and compassion for the poor.

“We join the Catholic Church and the global Christian community in mourning the passing of Pope Francis. This is a big loss to the Catholic faithful and the Christian world. Pope Francis will be remembered for a life dedicated to serving the Lord, the Church, and humanity. He exemplified servant leadership through his humility, his unwavering commitment to inclusivity and justice, and his deep compassion for the poor and the vulnerable. His strong ethical and moral convictions inspired millions across the world, regardless of faith or background,” President Ruto said.

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan also expressed her condolences, describing Pope Francis’ death as “saddening” and hailing him as “a teacher and leader” who championed “peace, welfare, and development.”

In East Africa, Pope Francis is remembered not just as a religious leader, but as a voice that connected faith to the daily struggles of ordinary people. His papacy inspired hope in a region confronting poverty, climate change, conflict, and social exclusion.

During his first visit to Africa in 2015, the pope travelled to Kenya, Uganda, and the Central African Republic. In Nairobi, he delivered a powerful speech at the University of Nairobi, urging Kenyans to reject corruption and greed, care for the environment, and uplift the poor. In Kangemi, he met with residents of the informal settlement, condemning social exclusion and economic injustice. He reminded them that human dignity goes beyond material wealth. His direct engagement with the poor won him admiration beyond the Catholic faithful.

The pope’s emphasis on interfaith dialogue, youth empowerment, and environmental protection resonated throughout East Africa. At the United Nations office in Nairobi, he called for urgent climate action, reinforcing the message of his encyclical Laudato Si’, which framed environmental care as a moral and spiritual responsibility. For many Africans facing the effects of climate change, his voice stood in solidarity with their struggles.

In Uganda, Francis honored the Christian martyrs of Namugongo while urging the embrace of youth and interfaith unity. In the Central African Republic, he opened a Holy Door in Bangui — a symbolic gesture usually reserved for the Vatican — as a call for peace in a war-weary nation.

Across the globe, Francis was known for his compassion and his efforts to uplift marginalized communities. He gave voice to migrants, prisoners, the disabled, single mothers, and LGBTQ persons. More than speaking for them, he stood with them.

His 12-year pontificate was as groundbreaking as it was human. Installed as the 266th pope on March 13, 2013, Francis succeeded Pope Benedict XVI following his unexpected resignation. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, he was the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first to take the name Francis, in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi — the patron of the poor and the environment. That name alone signaled a shift in leadership philosophy: one rooted in simplicity, humility, and service.

From the outset, Pope Francis broke with convention. He declined the papal palace, opting instead for a modest guesthouse. He paid his own hotel bill, wore simple vestments, and focused his leadership on mercy, justice, and inclusion. Many described him as a “disruptive” pope who led the Church into more progressive territory, opening conversations around the environment, women’s roles in the Church, immigration, and sexual abuse accountability.

In his early months, Francis released his first encyclical, Lumen Fidei, in June 2013, emphasizing the relevance of faith in today’s world. In July that year, he made a memorable visit to Lampedusa, a key landing point for migrants entering Europe, where he denounced the “globalization of indifference.” That message became a recurring theme throughout his papacy.

Later that same month, while returning from World Youth Day in Brazil, he responded to a question about gay clergy with the words: “Who am I to judge?” The statement signaled a dramatic shift in tone from the Vatican. While he upheld Catholic teachings on sexuality, his openness and compassion stood out.

That year, Time magazine named him “Person of the Year,” reflecting his global appeal. In 2015, he released Laudato Si’, urging global action on climate change and calling on humanity to protect the earth as a sacred duty. His message resonated deeply in Africa and other parts of the Global South.

His commitment to interfaith dialogue remained strong throughout his leadership. In 2019, he signed the Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together document with Sheikh Ahmad el-Tayeb in Abu Dhabi, a historic first for a pope visiting the Arabian Peninsula. The document encouraged cooperation between Christians and Muslims and influenced peacebuilding efforts globally, including in Africa.

In 2023, Francis finally made a long-anticipated visit to South Sudan, where he met political rivals and, in a remarkable gesture, knelt and kissed their feet in a plea for peace. The move underscored his dedication to reconciliation and humility.

But Pope Francis’ papacy was not without deep challenges and criticisms. The sexual abuse crisis cast a long shadow. Despite his efforts to implement reforms and host global summits on abuse prevention, critics questioned his initial defense of a Chilean bishop accused of covering up abuse. After public outcry, Francis reversed his stance, apologized to victims, and accepted the resignations of Chile’s entire bishopric.

Despite such setbacks, Pope Francis remained committed to transparency and reform. He appointed women to key positions in the Vatican and supported synodality — a process promoting greater participation of laypeople in church governance.

With his passing, the Vatican enters the sede vacante period. In the coming days, cardinals from around the world will gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope in a conclave. The process will continue until a candidate secures a two-thirds majority. When white smoke rises from the chapel’s chimney, the world will know that a new pope has been chosen.

That legacy, and its long-term impact on Catholics worldwide, will be in part decided by who is selected as the next pope. That process begins with a convening of the College of Cardinals — the conclave — within 15 to 20 days of the pope’s death.

What Happens After the Pope’s Death? The Road Ahead for the Catholic Church

Following the death of Pope Francis, the Vatican begins a structured process guided by centuries of tradition and protocol. First, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church officially confirms the Pope’s death by calling his baptismal name three times. Once confirmed, a death certificate is issued, and the papal ring (Fisherman’s Ring) is destroyed to prevent misuse.

This marks the beginning of the Sede Vacante—a period when the seat of the Pope is officially vacant. During this time, Vatican City is governed temporarily by the College of Cardinals. A mourning period, known as Novemdiales, begins and lasts nine days, during which Pope Francis’ body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica for public veneration. His funeral is expected to take place within 4 to 6 days.

Between 15 and 20 days after the Pope’s passing, the Church will prepare for the Conclave, the gathering of cardinals under the age of 80 tasked with electing a new Pope. Held in the Sistine Chapel, the Conclave is a secretive and sacred process requiring a two-thirds majority vote.

Each vote is followed by a visible signal—black smoke indicates no decision has been made; white smoke announces the election of a new pope. Once chosen, the new pope accepts the role, selects a papal name, and makes his first appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to proclaim Habemus Papam—“We have a pope!”