The Catholic Church is slow to change. Like, really slow. It’s still catching up to things people debated in the 1960s. Putting a Black pope in front of billions of Catholics who are used to white or Latino popes might just cause some people to faint. Not because Black is bad, but because the church doesn’t do surprises well.
It Might Become About Race Instead of Religion If we have a Black pope, suddenly everything will be about his skin colour. The media will go wild. Social media will turn him into a trending topic. People might stop seeing him as “the pope” and start seeing him as “the Black guy in the white robe.” That kind of distraction is not what the church needs.
The Racists Are Still Loud and Proud
Let’s not deceive ourselves. Racism didn’t die; it just got a smartphone and Wi-Fi. A Black pope would be targeted by online hate, fake news, and possibly internal resistance from people who think leadership should stay “traditional.” The last thing the church needs is a divided house.
They’ll Say He’s Too African for the Vatican. You know how people talk, “He’s not like the others,” or “He’s bringing strange customs.” People might start questioning every little thing he does. From the way he prays to the food he eats, critics will say he’s “too cultural,” even if he’s just being himself. That’s not fair, but it’s the world we live in.
He Might Just Be a Token
Some will say, “Oh, they just picked a Black guy to look modern.” And that’s dangerous. If he doesn’t have real power or support, he’ll be used for decoration, like the church version of diversity PR. That does more harm than good.
The Politics Will Get Ugly
The politics behind choosing a pope are already messy. Add race into it and things will get even more complicated. Countries will take sides. People will make alliances. Some will support him just because he’s Black, others will block him for the same reason. It will be more about strategy than the Spirit.
He Might Be Too Progressive or Too Conservative
If he speaks for the poor, they’ll call him a Marxist. If he follows strict doctrine, they’ll say he’s betraying Africa’s struggles. Either way, he’ll be judged more harshly than others because of his race. The expectations will be sky-high and unfair.
But Maybe That’s Exactly Why We Need One Now
Maybe all the reasons not to have a Black pope are actually the same reasons we should. Maybe the church needs a shock to wake up. Maybe we need someone who brings a different experience, one shaped by survival, struggle, community, and deep faith. Maybe the church needs to stop fearing difference and start learning from it.
A Black pope won’t solve all the church’s problems. But he might open new doors. He might make young African Catholics feel seen. He might bring real, lived wisdom to global issues like inequality, racism, and injustice. He might not be a miracle but he might just be the message the church needs to hear right now.
So, do we need a Black pope?
