The Archbishop of the Abuja Diocese in Nigeria, Ignatius Kaigama, has stated that a black person from the African continent could become Pope of the Catholic Church.

"Who says the black person cannot be a Pope? An African can be a Pope, we have many, we have Cardinals who are Africans, they have the same chance as anybody from America, anybody from Europe, so it is possible that an African will be Pope", he told the BBC following the demise of Pope Francis.

In the interview with the BBC, he noted that although a Black person has not held the position in recent times, the Church’s history shows that a Black individual occupied the position in the early days of the Catholic faith.

"Historically, we were told there were Popes and they were black, but that was made in the early centuries of the church, but in modern times there hasn't been any black Pope," he said.

Archbishop Kaigama added that the Church is praying for the next Pope to be elected free from racial discrimination.

"What we are praying for is not for an African Pope, a black Pope, an American Pope, an Asian Pope, no, we are praying for a good and holy Pope who can be black, Asian, or American, European, it is possible."

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, 21st April, 2025. He had been the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2013 until his death.

Following his passing, the Cardinals of the Church have begun the process of electing his successor. Among the Cardinals are Peter Appiah Turkson from Ghana, Francis Arinze from Nigeria, and Robert Sarah from Guinea.