Why it’s hard to have pop from Africa – Bishop Kukah
Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto Diocese has doubted the possibility of having a pope from Africa, saying the election process is not a rotational system based on region, and the outcome is unpredictable, unlike in Nigerian politics.
Bishop Kukah emphasized that the election of a Pope is not akin to the political concept of “emilokan,” which translates to “it’s my turn” in Yoruba.
This statement was made during an interview on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm shortly after the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in Rome. Kukah’s remarks highlight the distinction between political entitlement and the spiritual nature of papal elections.
Kukah pointed out that the process of electing a Pope is guided by divine inspiration rather than regional or political considerations. He stated, “Electing a pope is not like that; it’s not an ‘Emilokan’ scenario where you say, ‘These people have had their turn, now it’s our turn.’” He stressed that such expectations are misguided and reflect a misunderstanding of how papal elections function.
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During his discussion, Kukah noted that there were 133 cardinals involved in the recent election, many of whom were unfamiliar with each other. This lack of personal connections among the cardinals underscores that lobbying or political maneuvering does not play a role in this sacred process. Instead, he asserted that it is ultimately guided by the Holy Spirit.
Kukah humorously suggested that before advocating for an African Pope, Africa should first focus on winning the World Cup, indicating that there are more pressing issues at hand than regional representation in papal elections. He further clarified that while one can have a Pope who is African, once elected, their identity becomes universal and transcends any national or ethnic affiliations.
On May 8, Pope Leo XIV, who was not ranked among potential successors of Pope Francis, emerged as the 267th and the first American Catholic pontiff.
Gamblers who staked millions of dollars predicting who would emerge as the new pope, following high odds on some potential candidates by betting sites, lost their money.
Pope Leo XIV eventually emerged as the new leader of the Catholic Church, demonstrating the long-standing unpredictability of conclave elections and leaving gamblers who staked thousands of dollars on high-odds candidates in shock.
Pope Leo XIV’s surprising emergence is reminiscent of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who defied projections in 2013 when he was elected instead of Cardinal Angelo Scola, then widely regarded as the favourite.
