Following the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, a prominent Nigerian monarch, the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON, has called for the Catholic Church to elect an African as its next spiritual leader.
In a statement issued in Asaba, the Delta State capital, the Asagba said the time was ripe for Africa to take the mantle of leadership in the global Catholic community.
He emphasized the continent’s growing role in the faith and pointed to several African Cardinals who are eminently qualified to assume the papacy.
“Africa today stands as the bedrock of Catholicism and Christianity,” the traditional ruler said. “In line with Pope Francis’s vision of inclusivity, the Church must now consider giving Africa the opportunity to lead.”
The monarch highlighted three top African candidates: Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea, and Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He described Cardinal Turkson, 76, as one of the Church’s most influential figures, currently serving as Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. Cardinal Ambongo Besungu, 65, he noted, is the only African Cardinal on the late Pope’s Council of Cardinals and President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).
In January 2024, he notably opposed the Vatican’s declaration on blessings for same-sex unions.
Cardinal Sarah, the monarch added, remains a staunch defender of the faith and traditional Church values.
A devout Catholic and Knight of Saint John (KSJ) and Knight of Saint Gregory the Great (KSG), the Asagba underscored the importance of inclusivity in the selection of the next Pope. “While we pray for divine guidance in the process, the Church must acknowledge Africa’s immense contributions and potential,” he stated.
As global attention turns to the Vatican in the coming weeks, the Asagba’s call is expected to resonate across Africa and among Catholic faithful worldwide.
