The Tribune

By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

ARCHBISHOP Patrick Pinder said on Thursday that the increasing international diversity of the College of Cardinals has made the prospect of electing a pope of African descent more plausible, although such decisions ultimately depend on spiritual discernment within the Church.

During a press briefing, Archbishop Pinder noted that racial and regional representation has become increasingly significant in recent papal conclaves.

“That has certainly been a very, very important concern in the last three or four conclaves,” Archbishop Pinder said. “The internationalisation of the College of Cardinals actually began since the time of Pope Pius XII, and the first African cardinal in modern times was a gentleman by the name of Cardinal Laurean Rugambwa.”

He highlighted that the number of African cardinals has steadily increased over the years, with several considered serious candidates for the papacy.

“There have been, at any given time, a number of Africans in the College of Cardinals,” Archbishop Pinder said. “Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana has been a name that came up in the last two papal elections, and there are several other cardinals as well.”

When asked whether the Church could soon choose a Black pope, Archbishop Pinder said it was certainly within the realm of possibility.

“The question is, is it possible that there be an African pope? It certainly is,” he said. “When will it be? That’s between you and the Holy Spirit.”

His remarks came in the wake of the election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. Born in the United States, Pope Leo previously served in Peru and within the Roman Curia. While he is the first American to hold the papacy, Archbishop Pinder emphasised that Pope Leo’s service and experience transcend national identity.

Under recent pontificates, the College of Cardinals has expanded to include a broader global representation, incorporating members from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The Tribune understands that conversations about diversity and inclusivity continue among Catholic leadership, particularly as the global South emerges as a vital and growing centre of the Church’s membership and influence.