In 1978,the Roman catholic church had two popes. A thing that usually doesn't always happen.
Albino Luciani who became Pope John Paul I and Karol Wojtyla who became Pope John Paul II. While Luciani ( a man I love so much) was an Italian pope, Wojtyla was a Polish pope. Before Wojtyla, the Conclave that had elected Pope John Paul I had actively wanted a man with a deep knowledge of the workings of the third world countries - and more, a man with the Holy spirit( an essence that had lacked in the papacy beginning in the 12th century).
Cardinal Loscheinder of Brazil had been contemplated but because Albino Luciani was a more spirit filled, meek and always smiling man, the lot went to him and he was elected the pope on 27th August 1978 to replace Paul VI. Luciani was an Italian.
He came from a country that felt that ascendancy of St. Peter's throne was its birthright.
Infact since 855 AD when Pope Adrian - a none Italian pope had been elected, Italians had ruled the papacy until John Paul I.
While John Paul I did not live to execute the blessed good plans he had for the church, yet he was able to show that not everything Italian could be bad. Although he was assassinated within 33 days of his papacy (one of the shortest papacy ever) yet he had already began some ground breaking revolutions that would have changed the church forever.
After Albino Luciani came Karol Wojtyla from Poland. Karol Wojtyla or John Paul II as we knew him also tried his best and was a peaceful man and a well travelled and diplomatic pope.
Then came a German pope in 2005 - Joseph Ratzinger or as we knew him more Pope Benedict. So for the first time in over three hundred years the papacy left Italy.
We thought the Roman curia was done until 2013 when Joseph Bogoglia or Pope Francis as we know him was selected from Argentina.
With this radical move from a deep core Italian aristocratic coveting, it really begs the question as to what next?
I know that pope Francis still has a long way to go but i am already thinking...isn't it time yet after now to have a black pope?
Isn't Africa ready for a shot at the Papacy?
I may not be a catholic but it surely will do me great pride to have a Nigerian as a pope.
I strongly believe that the workings of the Holy Spirit can also be persuaded in the African direction.
After all the Holy Spirit of Poland, Germany and Argentina is still the same that controls the affairs of Africa nay Nigeria.
When the next papal conclave meets (whenever that will be) lets pray for an African pope.
Yes its possible.
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