Nigerian Cardinal Okpaleke Among 18 African Electors For New Pope Selection

In a historic development following the recent passing of Pope Francis, Nigerian-born Cardinal Peter Okpaleke has been named among the 135 voting cardinals eligible to select the next head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Although the College of Cardinals consists of 252 members globally, only those under the age of 80 hold voting rights. This leaves 135 eligible electors, with Africa represented by 18 distinguished cardinals.

Geographic Distribution of Voting Cardinals

According to global ecclesiastical demographics:

Europe leads with 53 voting cardinals,
Asia has 23,
Africa follows with 18,
South America has 17,
North America 16,
Central America and Oceania hold the fewest with four each.

This distribution underscores the growing influence of African clergy within the global Church.

Full List of African Cardinal Electors

The following African leaders are eligible to participate in the conclave:

John Njue – Kenya
Dieudonne Nzapalainga – Central African Republic
Peter Okpaleke – Nigeria
Nakellentuba Ouedraogo – Burkina Faso
Protase Rugambwa – Tanzania
Robert Sarah – Guinea
Berhaneyesus Souraphiel – Ethiopia
Desire Tsarahazana – Madagascar
Peter Turkson – Ghana
Jean-Paul Vesco – Algeria
Cristobal Romero – Morocco
Stephen Mulla – South Sudan
Fridolin Besungu – Democratic Republic of Congo
Ignace Dogbo – Ivory Coast
Stephen Brislin – South Africa
Arlindo Furtado – Cape Verde
Antoine Kambanda – Rwanda
Jean-Pierre Kutwa – Ivory Coast

This diverse group showcases the Church’s reach and the increasing significance of the African continent in papal decisions.

Papal Appointments and Influence

Out of the 135 cardinal electors:

108 were appointed by Pope Francis,
22 by Pope Benedict XVI,
5 by Pope John Paul II.

Their selections reflect varying theological perspectives and regional representations within the Vatican’s leadership.

Pope Francis: A Final Goodbye

Pope Francis, who led the Church with a focus on humility and social justice, passed away peacefully at his residence in Rome on Easter Monday at the age of 88. His funeral is slated for Saturday, drawing world leaders and global dignitaries in Rome to pay their final respects.

Read the full Vatican obituary and funeral updates via Catholic News Agency.