The Catholic Church is in a period of mourning and reflection following the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 in the Vatican after a brief illness.
His passing marks the end of an era and sets the stage for a new chapter in the Church’s history, as attention turns to the selection of his successor, with a Ghanaian cardinal now among the top contenders.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, made history in 2013 when he became the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to lead the Church. Known for his humility, reformist spirit, and passionate advocacy for the poor and marginalised, Pope Francis championed causes such as environmental stewardship, interfaith dialogue, and economic justice.
Yet his papacy was not without challenges. The Church under Francis grappled with continuing scandals, especially those relating to clerical abuse, and increasing calls for transparency, accountability, and structural reform.
As he aged and health concerns mounted, many speculated about the future direction of the Church and whether meaningful transformation was possible.
Now, with the conclave set to begin in the coming weeks, five cardinals have emerged as frontrunners to become the next pope.
Among them is Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, a figure widely respected for his intellect, compassion, and strong advocacy on global justice, climate change, and peace. Turkson, 76, previously served as Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and has been a consistent voice for Africa and the Global South.
If elected, Cardinal Turkson would become the first Black pope in modern history — a move many believe would signal a commitment to inclusivity and a stronger stance against racism within the Church.
“A Black pope would speak powerfully to the world about the Church’s readiness to embrace all races and cultures,” said one Vatican observer.
''However, others remain sceptical. “While a pope of African descent would be historic, we’ve seen symbolism without substance before,” noted a Catholic scholar.
“The Church still struggles with racism internally and is yet to fully address the long-standing wounds of abuse and discrimination.”
Francis's body will lie in state at St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing, allowing Catholics and dignitaries to pay their respects. In line with his wishes for simplicity, he will be placed in a single zinc-lined wooden coffin, forgoing the traditional three nested coffins.
His funeral, expected within four to six days, will be held in St. Peter’s Square, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. Unlike most popes buried in the Vatican Grottoes, Francis chose Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica as his final resting place, reflecting his devotion to the Virgin Mary’s icon there.
A nine-day mourning period, the Novendiale, follows, with Masses held worldwide. Approximately 15 to 20 days after his death, the conclave begins in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope. Only cardinals under 80—currently 138 of 252—can vote, requiring a two-thirds majority to select the successor. Voting occurs in secrecy, with black smoke signalling an inconclusive round and white smoke announcing a new pope. - Additional Reporting by IOL