Cardinals Could Elect 1st Black Pope

Two Africans are among the early contenders to succeed Pope Benedict XVI, reflecting the dramatic shift of the Roman Catholic Church to the developing world.

Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana and Cardinal Francis Arinze of Nigeria are in the frame to become the first ever black pope, certainly in the modern era.

With a Canadian, a Honduran and other Latin Americans among the unofficial front-runners, the Roman Catholic Church could well elect its first non-European since the Great Schism with the Eastern church in the 11th century when it replaces Benedict XVI.

Given the highly secretive nature of the conclave of the College of Cardinals that chooses popes, predicting the decision is an uncertain business. Pope John Paul II appeared late in the process and went on to have a major impact. Many Vatican watchers failed to pick the German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger last time round.

Two senior Vatican officials have recently dropped surprisingly clear hints that the next pope could well be from Latin America.

Swiss Cardinal Kurt Koch, head of the Vatican department for Christian unity, said that the church’s future was not in Europe. “It would be good if there were candidates from Africa or South America at the next conclave,” he said. Asked if he would vote for a non-European over a European candidate if they were equally qualified, he responded: “Yes.”

Source: Globalbalita.com