Cardinal Peter Turkson Qualifies To Be The Next Pope – Dr. Louis Tuffour

As the Catholic Church prepares to elect a new spiritual leader following the passing of Pope Francis, attention is turning to Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Turkson, who has been described as a strong and qualified contender for the papacy.

Dr. Louis Tuffour, Vicar General of the Roman Catholic Church in the Kumasi Diocese, has publicly affirmed that Cardinal Turkson meets all the criteria to be elected as the next Pope.

“He qualifies to be the next pope,” Dr. Tuffour said, emphasizing Turkson’s deep faith, experience in the Vatican, and long-standing service to the Church.

This comes in the wake of the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at age 88 on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025. The Vatican announced that the pontiff died of a stroke and heart failure at his residence in Casa Santa Marta. A day prior, he made a surprise appearance at St. Peter’s Square during Easter Sunday celebrations, though he did not lead the main Mass.

Pope Francis’ passing has prompted an outpouring of grief from Catholics around the world. From Latin America to Africa, and across Europe and Asia, tributes continue to pour in for a pope widely respected for his humility, compassion, and reformist spirit.

Dr. Tuffour explained that, following Church tradition, cardinals under the age of 80 will soon gather at the Vatican to begin the conclave—a sacred process of prayer and voting to elect a new pope.

“Cardinals above 80 years of age are not eligible to participate in the election,” he clarified. The appearance of white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney will signal when a new pope has been chosen.

Speaking on Pope Francis’ legacy, Dr. Tuffour praised the late pontiff for his servant leadership.

“He loved the poor, showed mercy to all, and constantly reminded us that leadership in the Church is about service, not status,” he said. “His reforms challenged the Church to be more inclusive, and he reminded the world that God’s love is for everyone.”

Dr. Tuffour noted that Francis was the first pope to take the name of Saint Francis of Assisi—a choice that reflected his commitment to simplicity, peace, and care for the marginalized.

With the conclave approaching, the possibility of an African pope is once again being discussed.

Cardinal Turkson, a well-respected theologian and former head of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, is seen by many as a symbol of the Church’s growing presence in the Global South.

“The whole world is watching, and the Church is praying for guidance,” Dr. Tuffour said. “Cardinal Turkson has the heart, the mind, and the spirit to lead.”