Asger Risom
Twice seen as a near-favorite, Turkson symbolizes the growing global shift within the Catholic Church
As the Catholic world anticipates the selection of a new pope, Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana is once again considered a leading contender—potentially to become the first African pontiff in modern history.
Known for his work on social justice and development, Turkson reflects the Vatican’s evolving demographic and moral priorities.
From Humble Origins to the Vatican’s Inner Circle
Born in the southern Ghanaian town of Nsuta-Wassa, Turkson is the fourth of ten children in a religiously mixed family—his mother a Methodist vegetable vendor, his father a Catholic carpenter.
Ordained in 1975, he pursued further studies in Rome and New York before being appointed Archbishop of Cape Coast in 1992 by Pope John Paul II, who elevated him to cardinal in 2003.
Turkson quickly became one of the most visible African voices in the Vatican. He served as mediator during Ghana’s fraught 2008 elections and later played a pivotal role in Vatican summits addressing reconciliation, poverty, HIV/AIDS, and migration across Africa.
In 2016, Pope Francis tasked him with leading the newly formed Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
According to Digi24, Turkson’s fluency in six languages and his engagement with global forums like Davos have made him a key advocate on issues Pope Francis deems critical, including economic inequality and the environment.
A Conservative Voice in a Progressive Era
Despite his prominence, Turkson’s views often reflect a more conservative stance. While he has criticized Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ legislation, he defends the Church’s doctrinal position and has questioned the framing of homosexuality as a human rights issue.
On public health, he suggested limited condom use in HIV-positive couples, while emphasizing treatment access over prevention campaigns.
Turkson has also sparked controversy, including a 2012 apology after screening a provocative video about the spread of Islam in the West. He has critiqued the cerebral tone of Catholicism in contrast with the emotional resonance of evangelical churches, which he believes better connect with African faithful.
A Church in Demographic Transition
Cardinal Turkson has already twice come close to the papacy—before Benedict XVI’s resignation in 2013 and now, as the Church prepares for another conclave.
While he has publicly stated, “I don’t want to be the first Black pope,” his candidacy speaks to a broader transformation: Catholicism is contracting in Europe but thriving in Africa.
As the Church faces major theological, demographic, and geopolitical challenges, Turkson remains one of its most globally resonant figures—embodying the balance between tradition, reform, and the growing voice of the Global South.