"Africa never ceases to surprise us...." Pope Francis's words, often repeated, carry a certain weight, especially when the conversation turns to the future leadership of the Catholic Church. For centuries, the papacy has been predominantly a European affair. Yet, whispers and hopeful projections are growing louder: could the next successor to St. Peter's Basilica emerge from the vibrant and rapidly growing Catholic communities of Africa?
Historically, the continent has indeed played a role, albeit a distant one, in the early Church. North Africa gifted the papacy three of its early leaders, the last being Gelasius I, who reigned in the late 5th century. Now, over fifteen centuries later, could history be poised to repeat itself, marking a significant turning point for the global Catholic community?
The current landscape of the Roman Curia, the Vatican's administrative arm, reveals a notable absence of African leadership at its highest levels. No Vatican office is presently headed by an African prelate. In this context, the name of 65-year-old Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, the Archbishop of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, resonates with increasing prominence.
While Cardinal Ambongo has consistently expressed his loyalty to Pope Francis, those familiar with the dynamics at play suggest a relationship built more on pragmatic alignment and a deep-seated respect for the papacy than on a true, shared vision. This distinction could prove crucial as the College of Cardinals eventually gathers to elect the next pontiff.
Ambongo's own story is one of humble beginnings. Born in the small Congolese town of Boto, the son of a rubber tree farmer, his journey to the heights of the Catholic hierarchy is remarkable. He embraced the Franciscan Capuchin order in 1981 and was ordained a priest in 1988 after theological studies in Rome. His early career involved leadership roles within the Congolese Capuchins and a brief stint in academia in Kinshasa. In 2004, at the relatively young age of 44, Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of the Bokungu-Ikela Diocese, signaling his early promise within the Church.
By the mid-2010s, Ambongo's influence extended beyond his diocese. He became deeply involved in the Congolese Episcopal Conference's commissions on Justice and Peace and Natural Resources, eventually leading both. During this period, he became a vocal advocate on the international stage, traveling to Western capitals with a powerful and direct message against exploitation: "Hands off Africa!"
Pope Francis recognized Ambongo's growing stature, appointing him Archbishop of Mbandaka-Bikoro in 2016. Just two years later, in a significant move, he became the Coadjutor Archbishop of Kinshasa, succeeding his mentor, Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, a close ally of Francis and a towering figure in both the Congolese Church and the nation.
Within Africa, Cardinal Ambongo has emerged as a leading voice among his fellow bishops, much like his predecessor. He has held numerous high-profile positions, including Vice President of the National Episcopal Conference of the Congo and the key role of hosting Pope Francis's highly successful visit to Kinshasa in 2023. Currently, his presidency of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) makes him the de facto spokesperson for all of Africa's Catholic bishops, a position of immense influence. His elevation to Cardinal in 2019 was followed by appointments to the Vatican's Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life and, significantly, to Pope Francis's Council of Cardinals in 2020, placing him at the heart of Vatican governance and reform discussions.
Cardinal Ambongo's relationship with Pope Francis isn't without its complexities. Following the Vatican's declaration in December 2023 allowing priests to bless individuals in same-sex relationships, Ambongo, as head of SECAM, issued a blunt statement: "No blessing for homosexual couples in the African churches." This near-unprecedented public divergence from papal authority by an entire continent's bishops sent shockwaves through the Catholic world. While emphasizing their unity with the Pope, the African bishops made it clear they would follow a different path, highlighting the cultural and theological sensitivities surrounding the issue in Africa.
This bold stance catapulted Cardinal Ambongo into the spotlight, garnering respect among conservative prelates and even more moderate ones who viewed the Pope's decision as an overreach in an era emphasizing synodal governance. Ambongo himself voiced concerns that the gay blessings decision was "damaging" to the synodal process.
Born in the year of Congo's independence, Cardinal Ambongo has witnessed the remarkable growth of the Catholic Church in his homeland, where nearly half of the 105 million inhabitants identify as Catholic. The Church plays a vital role in the nation, educating millions and operating a vast network of healthcare facilities. As a prelate, Ambongo has proven to be a consequential leader in a Church and country brimming with both potential and fragility.
His commitment to justice extends beyond the Church's walls. In 2019, at his insistence, the Congolese bishops' conference deployed tens of thousands of election monitors to combat corruption and violence during the presidential election. As a Franciscan, his advocacy for the environment is fierce, vehemently condemning the exploitation of Congo and the African continent's natural resources, a stance that has even led to death threats. His presence at international climate conferences and his outspoken criticism of China's business practices in Congo further underscore his commitment to justice and ethical leadership.
While his traditional stance on homosexuality might appeal to conservative cardinals, Ambongo has also signaled an openness to discussing married priests in certain contexts and the possibility of women deacons, a position that sets him apart from many other African prelates and might appeal to those seeking cautious reform. His emphasis on the Church moving together to preserve unity could also resonate with those who fear division.
However, a recent speech where Cardinal Ambongo reportedly condemned "Western decadence" and expressed sympathies with Russian President Vladimir Putin could alienate many cardinals wary of the disruption of the global political order. A potential pope perceived as too aligned with Putin would likely be a non-starter for a significant portion of the College of Cardinals. Furthermore, the lack of rigorous scrutiny on abuse within the Church in many parts of Africa could make some cardinals hesitant to elect a leader from the continent without a clear track record in this critical area.
Despite these potential hurdles, Cardinal Ambongo's position as a cardinal advisor to Pope Francis provides him with a deep understanding of the inner workings (and shortcomings) of the Roman Curia. Simultaneously, his background as a Franciscan friar and his roots outside the traditional Vatican system could make him a sympathetic figure for cardinals in the developing world who desire a less centralized, less Curia-driven Church.
While his Franciscan background might lead some to see him as a potential "Francis II," that same characteristic might give pause to those wary of having two consecutive popes from religious orders outside the established diocesan structure.
Ultimately, the question of whether the next pope will come from Africa remains open. Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu presents a compelling figure – a powerful voice for the continent, a leader with experience in both local and international affairs, and a man navigating the complex currents of the modern Catholic Church. As Pope Francis himself noted, Africa never ceases to surprise us. The world will be watching closely to see if that surprise includes the election of a pontiff from the vibrant and dynamic Catholic communities of the African continent. The path to the papacy is rarely predictable, but Cardinal Ambongo's journey and his current standing make him a significant figure in the ongoing conversation about the future of the Catholic Church.
