Cardinal Turkson Misses Out As Robert Francis Prevost Becomes 1st Pope to be Selected From the US

• A new Pope has been elected following the demise of Pope Francis and the election of the Papal Conclave
• Contrary to the expectations of many that Cardinal Peter Turkson would be named the new Pope, American Cardinal Robert Francis Presvost was elected
• The news of the election of a new Pope has been greeted with mixed reactions, as some are delighted over the election of Cardinal Robert, while others are unhappy since Cardinal Turkson missed it

American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the new Pope after the Papal Conclave elections held on May 8, 2025.

The election makes him the first pontiff from the United States in the history of the Catholic Church.

The announcement came on Thursday, May 8, 2025, after the Papal Conclave election following Pope Francis's death on Easter Monday, April 30, 2025.

The election, however, marks a notable moment for Africa, as Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, long considered a strong contender for the papacy, was once again overlooked.

Cardinal Turkson, a prominent voice on global peace, climate justice, and economic inequality, was widely seen as a front-runner for a papacy that could reflect the growing influence of the Global South within the Church. However, he again missed the position of Pope.

See the post below:

Cardinal Turkson and a dream of becoming Pope

Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, born on October 11, 1948, in Wassaw Nsuta, Ghana, is a prominent figure in the Catholic Church. He was ordained a priest in 1975 and became the Archbishop of Cape Coast in 1992.

In 2003, Pope John Paul II elevated him to the rank of cardinal, making him the first Ghanaian to hold this position.

Over the years, he has held several significant roles within the Vatican, including President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

Since 2022, he has served as the Chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences.

Cardinal Turkson has been considered a potential candidate for the papacy, especially during the 2013 and 2025 conclaves.

His advocacy for social justice, environmental stewardship, and his representation of the growing Catholic population in Africa have made him a notable figure in discussions about the future leadership of the Church.

Despite the speculation, Cardinal Turkson has approached the idea of becoming pope with humility. In a 2023 interview, he humorously remarked, "I pray a lot also against it," emphasising his belief that such decisions are in God's hands.

Profile of Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV was born on May 18, 1955, in Illinois, USA, and was ordained as a priest in 1982.

He then went on to serve as a missionary in Peru, where he rose through the ranks and was appointed as the Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru.

He was also first made a cardinal by Pope Francis on September 30, 2023, and was given a titular church on January 28, 2024.

As the new pontiff, Pope Leo XIV will now become the Bishop of Rome.

The 69-year-old pontiff, in his first address in Italian at the Sistine Chapel, called for the need for peace and unity.

Netizens speak as Cardinal Turkson misses out

Netizens have greeted the news about Cardinal Turkson missing out on the Pope's position with mixed reactions.

While some have welcomed the news, others are slightly dissatisfied since Cardinal Turkson missed the position.

@Wee3ny3 wrote:

"You ever see a black pop before."

@navknight_ wrote:

"I feel sad and also sorry for Cardinal Appiah Turkson. He became Cardinal in 2003, and since then, there have been 3 Papal elections, and he has always overlooked him. But someone became cardinal in 2023 and became pope on his 1st election. Dabɛn, Africa? Smh."

Former Schoolmate of Cardinal Turkson speaks

Earlier, Yen.com.gh reported that a former schoolmate of Cardinal Turkson has opened up on some qualities of the renowned Catholic leader.

The two have been friends since they were young boys. Joseph Danquah shared some characteristics of the Cardinal, which make him the best candidate for the Pope.

Netizens who saw the video of the Pope's friend speaking about his nature were impressed and expressed their views in the comments section.

Source: YEN.com.gh