Following the demise of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, speculation has already begun about who will succeed him as the next pontiff. The next pope could come from regions like Africa, Italy, Sri Lanka, or even America, with many experts predicting that the next leader of the Catholic Church will likely bring the institution back to the ideological centre.
Among the names gaining attention is Cardinal Robert Sarah, who is also trending on social media platforms as a potential candidate to lead the Church.
Who is Cardinal Robert Sarah?
Cardinal Robert Sarah, a former Vatican official from Guinea, has been a vocal critic of Pope Francis, particularly opposing restrictions on the traditional Latin Mass and the approval of blessings for same-sex couples. His outspoken views have garnered support from conservative factions within the Church. If elected, he would make history as the first African pope since the fifth century, as reported by The New York Post.
Moreover, the traditional and orthodox cardinal will turn 80 on June 15, 2025, making him an influential part of the conclave. According to canon law expert Edward Peters, writing at the Ewtn.com website, technically, any male who has been baptised could be elected as a Pope. However, in order for the election to take effect, an unordained person will have to be ordained and promoted to the position of a bishop.
Why is Cardinal Sarah trending?
Netizens on social media speculate that Sarah has the “potential” to be the next Pope. One user wrote on X, “NB: Cardinal Robert Sarah does not turn 80 until June 15. He will therefore be an influential participant in the conclave.” A second user wrote, “The next Pope will be Black. Cardinal Robert Sarah is a strong candidate.” A third user wrote, “Cardinal Robert Sarah, Our hope.”
Another user wrote, “The Church’s redemption and salvation has a name. Cardinal Robert Sarah” A user wrote, “Robert Sarah gets my vote for Pope. Not that I have one! He is a Christian conservative who thinks gender ideology is a threat to society and has denounced Islamic fundamentalism. Apparently the liberals dislike him for both these matters.”
