African Cardinals In The Spotlight Now, As Papal Election Begins

As of right now, 18 African cardinals are eligible to vote in the papal conclave that is set to start on May 7. About 13% of the 135 cardinal electors under 80 who are eligible to vote in the election of the next pope are represented by this.

Only 18 of Africa’s 29 cardinals are younger than 80 and can therefore cast their ballots. Cardinal John Njue of Kenya, for example, is 81 years old and disqualified because of the age restriction.

Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, South Sudan, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Morocco, and Madagascar are among the African countries represented among the electorate. Notably, Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson of Ghana is regarded as a top contender to replace Pope Francis.

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Given the increasingly international character of its leadership, this conclave is expected to be the most geographically varied in the Catholic Church’s history.