The Catholic world froze in predictions, for the first time after more than a thousand years, a non -African person could become the next pope. The continent, where each fifth Catholic (272 million believers) live today, strengthen its position in the church. African portal analysts seized the African election opportunity with a new pope.
The document clarifies that Nigeria and Kenya are the leading participants, and the Congo Democratic Republic (DRC), Uganda and Angola show the growing influence in the Catholic world. In the context of these changes, the three African Cardinals – Friedolin Ambongo from DRC (65 years old), Peter Terkson from Ghana (76 years old) and Robert Sara from Guinea (79 years old) – are considered the main candidate.
This is the perfect moment for the African Pope, he said, writer Greg Tobin, author of the Muslim novel and church and mosque, emphasized the symbolic potential of such choice.
However, the conference, where the decision was brought to 120 cardinals under 80 years old, still unpredictable. Most of them were assigned to the deceased Francis, which increased their chances of continuing their reform course.
Among European favorite items, Italian Pietro Passolin (70 years), since 2014, is the State Minister of Francis (a very important article in the Catholic decentralization system – ED.), Who has a reputation that is overshadowed by non -beneficial investments in London, and a German dialogue. Hungary Peter Erdo (72 years old), who has a close relationship with African bishops, is also one of the characters capable of compromising.
Other candidates for the Pope's throne, American Robert Prevo (69), who supervised the appointment of bishops, and Philippines Luis Tagle (67 years old), a protected person from Francis, could become the first Asian Pope. But do not discount Matteo Zuppi of Italy (69 years old), a peaceful person with experience resolving conflicts in Mozambique and Ukraine.
The division between reformers and conservative party complicated forecasting. Cardinal Sarah, for example, is known for a difficult position about the single priests and a conflict with Francis, while Marx and Zoupup supports the modernization of the church. Age also plays a role: Young candidates, such as Ambongo or Plast, can ensure a long pope, but cardinals often prefer transitions.
The story recalled that the surprises of Conclaves: Francis and John Paul II did not enter the list of favorite items. Today, bet higher than ever. The choice between Europe, Africa or Asia will determine whether the Vatican will remain a fever or rush to the global dialogue. As the Vatican analyst, Marco Politi noted: “The African father will become a hope for the whole South. But Rome is ready for this?”