In brief
As the conclave approaches, Africa's growing Catholic population poses questions about the church's future direction.
When Pope Francis led a Mass infused with Congolese rituals at St. Peter’s Basilica in 2019, it symbolized his ongoing commitment to the Roman Catholic Church in Africa. This dedication was further highlighted during his visits to African migrants in Italy and his symbolic gestures of uniting warring factions in South Sudan. The continent is experiencing an unprecedented growth of Catholicism, with the number of adherents swelling faster here than anywhere else globally. According to Cardinal John Onaiyekan, former Archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria, Pope Francis' Latin American background fosters a deep empathy towards Africa's struggles as a developing region influenced by external forces. Now, as Cardinal Onaiyekan and other cardinals prepare to enter the Sistine Chapel to elect the next pope following Francis’ passing, the role of Africa's burgeoning Catholic community in shaping future papal leadership is front and center.Currently, roughly one-fifth of Africa's overall population—approximately 280 million people—identifies as Roman Catholic. This demographic shift is marked by a significant increase in African converts; the Vatican reported that in 2022, more than half of the 13 million new Catholics were from Africa. The implications for the church are profound, as Africa emerges not just as the new heart of Catholicism but perhaps a potential custodian of the papacy itself in the years to come.
