Catholic Church Pope: On Saturday (May 03, 2025), world leaders are gathering in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis, so many Catholic are considering whether the church may soon choose its first black pope? Since the death of Francis on the day of Easter, a name in the Vatican is drawing attention, that is Ghana’s cardinal Peter Turkon.

In 2010, Turkson said that he is not ready to become a pope and may not be ready for the church. He had said, “I don’t want to be the first black pope. I think you will have to face difficult times.” But Africa is growing in the Catholic population. Of the 1.4 billion Catholics in the world, 20 percent now live on this continent, while the church is struggling to maintain followers in Europe, rapidly secular. Now some people believe that this is the right time for the first black pope.

Who is Peter Turkon?

76-year-old cardinal Peter Turkon grew up in a small town of Gold Coast under British rule. They have 10 siblings and they come at number four. His father worked in the mine and as a carpenter, while his mother used to sell vegetables in the market. Turkson did her studies at Ghana and Seminary in New York. He later studied Bible in Rome. Pope John Paul II made him the archbishop of Cape Coast in 1992 and in 2003 he became the first cardinal in the history of Ghana.

John Paul’s successor Benedict brought him to the Vatican in 2009 and made him the head of the Paramdharmapeeth Council for justice and peace. There he became one of the closest advisors of the Pope and started working on issues like climate change as well as economic justice. Turkson has experience to have strong connections with local circles in Ghana and lead the Vatican offices.

Although preparations are being made for the conference to be held by the church to choose its next Pope, but Turkson is not the only African name. Also, they will not be the first African who will become the Pope. Earlier, North Africa Pope Victor- First Church has been led during 189 to 199. Miles Patanden, a historian of Catholicism at the University of Oxford, said, “The feeling has developed that if the Pope wants to become a global officer, he will have to come from the global church.”

‘There is no talk about discrimination’

Some African Catholic also feel neglected. On the condition of anonymity, a Kangoli pastor told the French news agency AFP, “Even though it is not clear among our European brothers, discrimination is still a reality that we do not talk about often.” He said that the church has progressed, but that is why no African Pope is made in 1,500 years.

Also read: Will Pope Francis also be removed? Know how the funeral of the biggest religious leader of Christians will be

Pope francis death news: Pope Francis, the largest religious leader of the Christian community, has died at the age of 88. This news brought a blow not only for the Vatican City but also for the whole world. On the day of Easter from St. Peter Basilica’s balcony, Pope Francis greeted thousands of devotees as “Happy Easter”, it became his last public word.

This scene was captured by the camera and this picture has now become a part of history. He may not have participated in Easter prayer, but his presence made everyone emotion.

War fighting double pneumonia
Pope Francis’ health was a long time of concern. In childhood, one of his lungs was removed, and he lived life with just one lungs. Recently he complained of double pneumonia, after which he was admitted to Jameli Hospital in Rome. There he stayed in treatment for 38 days, but eventually the body stopped supporting. Due to his age and chronic illness, his condition became even more serious. Nevertheless, he served religion and humanity till his last breath.

How will the funeral of Pope Francis?
Pope Francis always balanced the tradition with modernity. Where earlier three coffins were used in the funeral of the Pope, now the rules have been changed. Now the body will be kept in the coffin immediately after his death, and then the general public will be allowed to visit. After this, a 9 -day mourning period will also be celebrated. The special thing is that

According to the New York Times, Mexican broadcaster has stated that Pope Francis had expressed his desire to be buried in Santa Maria Magigor Basilica, not in St. Peter’s grave. There is a possibility that his last wish will be respected. During the process of burial, a document of 1000 words is prepared, which describes their Pope tenure, decisions and contributions. This document is kept for history. Pope Francis, who was once a simple priest of Argentina, worked to connect the entire Christian world with messages of humility, compassion and equality. They became not only the Pope, but a source of inspiration.

Pope francis on abortion: Pope Francis, the largest religious leader of Christians, died at the age of 88. He was admitted to Jameli Hospital in Rome after a complaint of pneumonia, where he was admitted for 38 days. Before his death, he also gave his darshan to the devotees on the occasion of Easter.

As long as he was the pope, he gave a new look to the education of the church on issues like death sentence and nuclear weapons. Although he saw a orthodox attitude on a subject like abortion, he worked a lot to have a relationship with Muslims and other communities. Regarding abortion, he believed that this culture should not be accepted under any circumstances.

What was the attitude of Pope Francis on the major issues of the world?

What was the opinion on Islam

Pope Francis significantly carried on inter -religious dialogue with Islam. He carried forward relationships with both Sunni and Shia leaders. Sheikh Ahmed Al-Taib of Egypt signed an important document on human fraternity and visited Muslim-dominated countries like UAE and Iraq, he became the first Pope to do so. His efforts promoted mutual respect and peace.

Abortion

Pope Francis retained the traditional stance of the church against abortion, describing it as part of throwway culture and even compared to hiring a killer. However, instead of condemnation, he emphasized compassion and urged the church to join spiritually with women who aborted them. He gave regular priests the right to forgive for sin. Whereas earlier only bishops could do this. He said that priests should be kind to women who have done abortion.

LGBTQ+

On this issue, he had said, ‘Who is the one who is justice.’ Regarding Catholic homosexuals, he said that God loves LGBTQs and welcome to the church. However, he did not change the principle that declared gay acts disorganized. In Argentina, she opposed gay marriage and supported civil unions as an agreement.

Prostrately

Pope Francis accepted the matter of sexual exploitation of children in churches and also apologized for this. Along with this, he also put pressure on the bishops to resign. He also improved the laws of the church to remove the confidentiality of the Pope and processes to justify the bishops. Nevertheless, sometimes his credibility was questioned when he was seen supporting some accused priests.

Death sentence and jail reform

Francis had done them in all cases to accept the death sentence. By announcing this, he broke the previous customs of the church. He had called and condemned the death penalty and solitude imprisonment without parole and condemned it. He called for abolishing both practices.

Death sentence and jail reform

Francis had done them in all cases to accept the death sentence. By announcing this, he broke the previous customs of the church. He had called and condemned the death penalty and solitude imprisonment without parole and condemned it. He called for abolishing both practices.

Women rights in church

Francis called for a greater role of women in the leadership of the church. He appointed many women to senior Vatican posts and gave women the right to vote in the bishops’ assembly.

Migration

Francis put migrant rights at the center. He condemned global apathy about refugees and repeatedly called upon the countries to welcome them. Especially in Europe. He criticized the border walls and announced that making them was against Christianity.

Also read: Who successor Pope Francis? Discussion on these names, know whose claim is strengthened

Who was pop francis: Pope Francis, the largest religious leader of the Christian community, died today (April 21) at the age of 88. He was seriously ill for some time. Vatican City gave official information about his death on Monday. Pope Francis was born in Argentina and was the first Latin American religious leader to receive the title of Pope, the highest position of the Catholic Church in 2013.

A wave of mourning all over the world

During his 12 -year tenure, Pope Francis raised the worldwide peace, humanity, environmental protection and equality. He was a strong supporter of social justice, service of poor and religious tolerance. His simplicity, compassion and dedication made him the favorite of crores of people around the world. There is a wave of mourning all over the world due to his death.

What was the real name of religious leader Pope Francis?

The real name of Pope Francis Buenos Aires, born in Argentina, was George Mario Bergolio. Later, he became the largest Christian leader in the world. He was born in December 1936. His parents were migrants from Italy. His father was an accountant and mother was a housewife. George initially studied science, but later his tendency moved towards religious life. In 1969 he became a pastor and then studied in the depth of religion in Spain.

Head of Jesuit community formed in 1973

In 1973, he was made the head of the Jesuit community in Argentina. He was then elected Pope in March 2013 and was named “Francis”. He became the first Latin American, first Jesuit and first Pope Francis Namdhari to reach the post. His election was also special because he took over after a living Pope (Benedict XVI), who resigned for health reasons. The tenure of Pope Francis was known for sympathy and religious reforms towards the poor and the needy.

These big things are done during their tenure

In the year 2016, he washed the feet of the refugees and gave the message of service and equality. At the same time, in 2018, he apologized on the misdeeds of the church in Ireland and issued a big order in 2019, in which all priests and religious people got information about sexual abuse and its report was made mandatory. In 2023, he also implemented this rule for common church leaders. Pope Francis will be remembered as a simple, land connected and reformist religious leader.

Also read-

Pope Francis Death Live: Mourning worldwide after the death of Pope Francis! Long time sick, read updates