Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson and Guinea's Cardinal Robert Sarah are among the candidates likely to become the next Pope. After the passing of Pope Francis II as announced by the Vatican on the 21st of April 2025, Easter Monday, a new dawn is upon us for a new pope to be elected. Ghanaian cardinal Peter Turkson is one of the contenders along with Italy’s cardinal Pietro Parolin, Hungary’s cardinal Peter Erdo, German cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller and others.
The brief back story of Cardinal Peter Turkson From Ghana.
Born Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Turkson is amongst the favorites for the highest rank in the Catholic Faith, following the death of Pope Francis this morning.
Described as one of Africa's most energetic church leaders, Cardinal Peter Turkson was made a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2003. Born in Wassa Nsuta, Western Region, the papacy candidate has risen through the ranks of the Catholic Church since his ordination as a Catholic priest on 20 July 1975.
He’s widely known for his advocacy for climate change and social and economic justice. He also advocates for the decriminalization of homosexuality and describes it as not alien to the indigenous Ghanaian and African society.
- Episcopal Career:
- Appointed Archbishop of Cape Coast on October 6, 1992; consecrated March 27, 1993
- Served as President of the Open catholic Bishops’ Conference (1997–2005)
- Chancellor of Catholic University College of Ghana (from 2003)
- Cardinalate: Created Cardinal-Priest of San Liborio by Pope John Paul II on October 21, 2003; first Ghanaian cardinal
- Vatican Roles:
- President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (2009–2017)
- Inaugural Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (2017–2021)
- Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (since April 4, 2022)
- Papal Conclaves: Participated as a cardinal elector in 2005 (elected Pope Benedict XVI) and 2013 (elected Pope Francis)
bookmakers listing him as a favorite
- Languages: Fluent in English, Fante, French, Italian, German, and Hebrew; understands Latin and Greek
- Key Advocacy:
- Social justice, poverty alleviation, and environmental issues, including climate change
- Promoted interreligious dialogue and peacebuilding
- Proposed a “global public authority” and “central world bank” to address financial crises (2011)
- Notable Actions:
- Sent by Pope Benedict XVI as a mediator in the 2011 Ivory Coast civil conflict
- Advocated for women’s roles in the Church, suggesting a woman as secretary for the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (2015)
- Awards and Honors:
- Order of the Star (Ghanaian national honor)
- Order of the Rock (Anomabo Traditional Area, Central Ghana)
- Multiple honorary doctorates from U.S. Catholic institutions (e.g., University of Dayton, Villanova, Duquesne)
- St. Clare Medal from Santa Clara University
- Controversies:
- Criticized for conservative views on condoms and homosexuality
- Faced backlash for showing a YouTube video with questionable Muslim demographic statistics at a 2012 Vatican meeting
- Publications: Co-authored works on corruption, integral ecology, and social ethics, including Corruzione (2017) and contributions to Fratelli tutti discussions
- Current Role: Chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences, focusing on ethical and social issues
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