By Nana Karikari, Senior International Affairs and Political Analyst
The news of Pope Francis’ death at 88, after a solid 12 years of leading the way for the Roman Catholic Church, has triggered a rather important and, if we are honest, somewhat complicated process. For the millions of Catholics in Africa, and indeed worldwide, this is a moment marked by sadness and a sense of looking forward.
This, as the Church now faces the task of selecting his successor. To fully appreciate the gravity of the occasion, the idea is to understand just what this centuries-old practice entails.
Spiritual Guide and Global Figure: The Pope’s Passing
Consider the Pope, the supreme leader for Catholics, himself the Bishop of Rome. He’s viewed through the lens of going in the footsteps of Saint Peter. The demands of his role are substantial.
It includes providing spiritual direction, maintaining the Church’s teachings and even serving as a role model on the world stage. When a Pope dies, the switch is flipped into what is known as a “sede vacante” situation, which literally means “the seat is vacant.” That starts a succession of rituals and administrative steps. The process is overseen by the cardinal camerlengo, the official who verifies the Pope is dead. A symbolic gesture occurs: the Pope’s ring– his signet, known as the Fisherman’s Ring– is broken, and the papal apartments are sealed.
The Conclave: Electing a New Pontiff
The selection of the next Pope is up to the College of Cardinals, cardinals from around the world. The cardinals younger than 80 typically will comprise those allowed to take part in what is called the conclave. This will be held inside the famed Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. The word “conclave” itself is from the Latin for “with a key.” It suggests the keep-it-hidden setting of this gathering, all the better for secrecy and to fend off outside pressures.
Their way of electing a new Pope is rich in tradition. The cardinals vote by secret ballot and a candidate needs a two-thirds majority to be elected. If no one hits that mark the first time around, they keep voting– as many as four times a day. The ballots are burned after every round. If black smoke pours from the Sistine Chapel chimney, it indicates that no decision has been rendered. But finally, when a cardinal reaches that two-thirds majority, he’s asked if he accepts the role. If he accepts, then he picks his papal name. This is when the world waits for a signal: white smoke from the chimney, then the announcement “Habemus Papam” – “We have a Pope!” The new Pope then appears on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to address his first “Urbi et Orbi,” blessing to the city and to the world.
The Global Church and the African Influence
In fact, church law says a baptised Catholic man could theoretically be elected pope. However, for centuries now, the selection always came from the College of Cardinals. Here we can see the growing Catholic population in Africa gives its cardinals an even greater voice in this papal election, the same way its counterparts in other continents are eligible candidates. Their significant numbers underscore the Church’s growing global dynamism. The election of an African Pope, while not guaranteed, would indeed be a stunning turn of history. it would also position the identity of the Catholic Church as potentially the world’s first truly participatory global democratic association.
The African Cardinals have a lot to say during this period. Their authority, combined with the burgeoning Catholic population in Africa, gives them real influence in the conclave. The African Cardinals will play an important role in making sure that the challenges and opportunities facing the continent are fully known in the conclave, and that the next Pope has a keen understanding of them. The global north, while it remains an important bastion of the Church, is no longer the most defining region of the Church. That recent electorate in today’s papal conclave is likely to reflect that.
Ghana and the Role of its Cardinals
It is a particularly meaningful moment for the Ghanaian Catholic Church. If indeed the country’s cardinals are within the conclave they will play a decisive role in the discussions and deliberations. Their opinions on the realities of the Church in Ghana, and indeed Africa, will be important. Therefore, Ghanaian cardinals must be under 80 at the time of the death of the Pope in order to be able to attend the conclave and to be able to take part in the election. Their power is not real estate, not really their vote, but their ability to build consensus with some other Cardinals. They will look for a candidate who is attuned to an increasingly African church, and who will work to make the Church in Ghana and Africa as a whole better.
