Introduction
Few institutions in the world have been able to endure the test of time with as much continuity, mystique, and controversy as the papacy. As the spiritual head of over a billion Catholics and a figure of global moral authority, the pope occupies a unique position that blends ancient ritual with modern relevance.
Yet the papacy is not just a relic of religious tradition, it is a living symbol of how power, faith, and politics have intersected across centuries. To understand the papacy is to understand more than Church history; it is to witness how one office has navigated the tides of empire, revolution, reform, and modernity.
The paradox of the papacy lies in its dual nature. On one hand, it is rooted in spiritual claims traced back to Saint Peter; on the other, it has long functioned as a geopolitical force, shaping the destinies of nations and the conscience of civilizations. This tension between the sacred and the strategic has defined the office’s evolution from the imperial entanglements of the medieval papal states to the quiet diplomacy of modern Vatican politics. Even today, the pope’s pronouncements on climate change, war, migration, and capitalism are not mere sermons; they are interventions that have implications on global policy debates.
Still, the papacy faces a crisis of relevance in an increasingly secular and pluralistic world. As scandals and internal divisions threaten the Church’s credibility, and younger generations move away from institutional religion, there still remains the factor where the pope still claims a moral high ground.
The process of selecting a pope has evolved over centuries, reflecting the Church’s ongoing effort to preserve both tradition and legitimacy. Originally influenced by Roman customs and local clergy, papal elections were once open to interference from monarchs and noble families. But by 1059, reforms began to centralize the process, granting the exclusive right to elect the pope to the College of Cardinals. This shift not only reinforced the Church’s autonomy but also formalized a system meant to uphold spiritual discernment over political manipulation.
By 1274, under Pope Gregory X, the procedures were further codified into what is now known as the papal conclave. The Conclave is a secretive gathering held within the Sistine Chapel after a pope’s death or resignation. The Conclave was designed to prevent external influence and hasten decision-making, and it has become both a solemn religious ritual and a global media spectacle. With each puff of white smoke from the chapel’s chimney, the world is reminded that the ancient rhythms of the papacy continue to captivate hearts, stir debate, and signal the beginning of a new era in Catholic leadership.
This opinion piece will explore the history of the papacy and the procedures for electing a new pontiff. It will also question the dominance of a specific race in the papacy for thousands of years, and make an argument for a shift of the papacy to Africa or Asia.
A Brief History of the Papacy
The papacy, the office held by the pope as the head of the Roman Catholic Church, traces its origins to Saint Peter, one of Jesus Christ’s apostles. According to Catholic tradition, Jesus appointed Peter as the first leader of the Church, and his successors became known as popes. Over the centuries, the papacy evolved from a spiritual leadership role into a powerful institution that wielded significant religious and political influence, especially during the Middle Ages. Popes played key roles in European politics, spearheaded crusades, and influenced the spread of Christianity globally.
During the Renaissance and Reformation periods, the authority of the papacy faced challenges due to corruption, political manipulation, and calls for reform. The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century significantly weakened papal authority in Northern Europe. In response, the Catholic Church initiated the Counter-Reformation, reaffirming the pope’s spiritual leadership. Over time, particularly after the loss of the Papal States in the 19th century, the pope’s role became more spiritually centered, culminating in the First Vatican Council’s declaration of papal infallibility in 1870 on matters of faith and morals.
Today, the pope is regarded as the Bishop of Rome and the supreme pontiff of the worldwide Catholic Church. He resides in Vatican City, an independent city-state established by the Lateran Treaty in 1929. The pope serves as the Church’s moral and doctrinal authority, guiding over a billion Catholics worldwide. His influence also extends to diplomacy and humanitarian efforts, as seen in the global outreach of modern popes such as John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis.
When a pope dies or resigns, the process to elect a new pontiff begins with a conclave which is a secret gathering of the College of Cardinals under the age of 80. Held in the Sistine Chapel, the conclave follows strict procedures established by papal decrees and tradition. Cardinals vote in multiple rounds until one candidate receives a two-thirds majority. Upon acceptance, the elected cardinal becomes the pope and chooses a papal name. The world is notified with the famous white smoke rising from the chapel’s chimney and the announcement, “Habemus Papam,” which means “We have a pope.”
Notable Popes and Their Contributions
- St. Peter (c. 30–64 AD): Regarded as the first pope and martyr, he was a foundational figure for papal authority.
- Pope Leo I (440–461): Asserted papal supremacy and met Attila the Hun, persuading him not to sack Rome.
- Pope Gregory I (590–604): Gregory the Great strengthened the Church administration and promoted missionary work.
- Pope Urban II (1088–1099): Launched the First Crusade, shaping medieval Christendom’s militant identity.
- Pope Innocent III (1198–1216): Expanded papal power to its peak; convened the Fourth Lateran Council.
- Pope Boniface VIII (1294–1303): Clashed with secular monarchies; issued the bull Unam Sanctam on papal supremacy.
- Pope Julius II (1503–1513): Commissioned Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling; involved in Italian wars.
- Pope Leo X (1513–1521): Presided during Martin Luther’s early Reformation; known for lavish spending.
- Pope Pius IX (1846–1878): Longest-reigning pope; defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception; lost Papal States.
- Pope Leo XIII (1878–1903): Promoted Catholic social teaching with encyclical Rerum Novarum.
- Pope Pius XII (1939–1958): Led the Church through WWII; controversial for his silence on the Holocaust.
- Pope John XXIII (1958–1963): Called the Second Vatican Council, ushering in modern reforms.
- Pope Paul VI (1963–1978): Continued Vatican II reforms; addressed global issues through diplomacy.
- Pope John Paul II (1978–2005): First non-Italian pope in centuries; influential in ending communism in Eastern Europe.
- Pope Benedict XVI (2005–2013): Theologian pope who resigned; emphasized orthodoxy.
- Pope Francis (2013–2025): First Latin American pope; focused on humility, social justice, and environmental care.
Rethinking Race and Representation in the Papacy
For nearly two millennia, the papacy has been overwhelmingly dominated by men of European descent. These men have been mostly Italians. The Papacy has had very little racial or geographic diversity reflected in its leadership.
Despite Christianity’s origins in the Middle East and its rapid early spread through Africa and Asia, the center of ecclesiastical power became entrenched in Rome, and with it, a Eurocentric vision of religious authority. This imbalance raises questions about the universality the Catholic Church claims to represent. How can a global faith, with its largest and fastest-growing populations in Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia, continue to be led almost exclusively by white European men?
The historical rationale often points to proximity, politics, and tradition. Rome was the heart of the empire, and the Church grew intertwined with European monarchies and cultural institutions. But as the Church expanded globally, its leadership did not keep pace with its followers.
Instead, centuries of colonization and missionary work often reinforced a narrative that equated holiness, authority, and civilization with whiteness. Indigenous spiritualities were suppressed, African clergy were marginalized, and theological contributions from the Global South were rarely given equal weight in Church councils or doctrinal development.
This racial homogeneity is not just a symbolic concern, but it has tacit implications for how the Church addresses issues of justice, inclusion, and representation. The perspectives of non-European Catholics are often filtered through a Western lens, leading to a disconnect between Vatican policies and the lived realities of congregants in the Global South.
Whether it’s the handling of sexual ethics, economic inequality, or climate justice, the absence of diverse voices at the highest levels of leadership narrows the Church’s moral imagination and limits its capacity to respond effectively to the needs of its flock.
To question the racial dominance of the papacy is not to undermine its spiritual authority, but to challenge it to live up to its own teachings of unity, dignity, and the equal worth of all people. In an era where diversity and inclusion are being embraced across global institutions, the Catholic Church must ask itself: Can it truly claim to be universal if its leadership remains so homogenous? Or is it time to reckon with the history of exclusion and open the path to a papacy that reflects the full spectrum of the Body of Christ?
Why the Next Pope Should Come from Africa or Asia
With the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Sunday, the Church finds itself once again at a crossroad that offers a rare opportunity to realign its leadership with the realities of its global flock.
While the papacy has long been rooted in the historical, political, and cultural soil of Europe, the spiritual vitality of the Catholic Church today increasingly resides in the Global South.
Africa and Asia are not only home to some of the fastest-growing Catholic populations, but also to communities where faith is deeply integrated into daily life, social resilience, and moral leadership. In light of this, electing a pope from either of these continents would be more than symbolic. It would be a much-needed recognition of where the Church is thriving and where its future lies.
This shift would also signal a meaningful break from centuries of Eurocentrism that have often marginalized non-Western theological perspectives and leadership. African and Asian Catholic leaders bring with them lived experiences of economic inequality, religious pluralism, colonial legacies, and social transformation.
These are contexts that mirror the challenges facing many of the Church’s faithful today. A pontiff from these regions could recalibrate the Church’s moral compass toward more inclusive, contextualized understandings of justice, development, and evangelization.
Moreover, a non-European pope could renew the Church’s credibility, particularly among younger generations disillusioned with the perceived elitism and insularity of Vatican leadership. It would demonstrate that the Church is not only listening but also willing to be led by voices from the periphery, in line with the very ethos that Pope Francis often preached.
At a time when institutions are being challenged to embody the diversity they proclaim, the College of Cardinals has both a moral and spiritual duty to consider leadership that reflects the full, rich tapestry of the Catholic world.
In a nutshell, the next papacy must do more than manage continuity. It must chart a course toward renewal. Choosing a pope from Africa or Asia is not about tokenism. It is about justice, representation, and faith in action. It is a chance to show that the Church truly belongs to all corners of the earth and not just to the corridors of Rome.
Leading the Church into a New Era through the Conclave
As the 2025 conclave convenes today May 7, the College of Cardinals faces a defining moment, and it’s not just to elect a successor to Pope Francis, but to signal the future direction of the Catholic Church.
Among the leading contenders are Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson of Ghana and Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea. Cardinal Turkson, a seasoned voice on issues of social justice, climate advocacy, and economic inequality, is 76 years old.
Cardinal Sarah who is also known for his conservative theological views and emphasis on liturgical tradition, has also emerged as a prominent contender. His election would signal a return to a more traditional approach to Church doctrine and practice, offering a different vision for the future of the papacy.
Both candidates represent distinct yet significant paths for the future of the Church, and the election of any of them, would make it the first African pope in over 1,500 years. This would be a historic move that could re-center the Church’s moral leadership in the Global South.
Also in consideration are Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy, the Vatican’s seasoned Secretary of State, and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, a compassionate pastor with a reformist spirit and a global following, often referred to as the “Asian Francis.”
This conclave is the most geographically diverse in the Church’s history, with 135 cardinal electors from 71 countries. But the Catholic faithfulls will need that diversity to be more than ceremonial. The electors must understand their responsibility to choose a leader who embodies the hopes and struggles of the modern Church.
The new Pope has to be someone who can bridge continents, speak to the realities of a changing world, and restore trust and vitality to Catholic communities worldwide.
The choice of the next pontiff should not default to tradition or political calculus. Instead, the conclave must consider candidates whose lives and ministries reflect the Church’s global presence and prophetic mission.
This means prioritizing moral courage, cultural empathy, and a clear commitment to reforms grounded in justice and compassion. A pope from Africa or Asia would not only acknowledge the shifting demographics of the Church but also elevate the wisdom and leadership long overlooked in these regions.
To the cardinals gathered under the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel: the world is watching, and history will remember. Elect a shepherd who not only guards tradition but also has the vision to lead the Church forward boldly, inclusively, and authentically. The time for a new face of the papacy has finally come.
Leave a Reply