Nationwide — Within the coronary heart of Africa, the place Catholicism has unfold for generations, one man got here remarkably near shattering one of many oldest limitations in international spiritual historical past: turning into the world’s first Black pope. Cardinal Francis Arinze, a Nigerian-born theologian and Vatican insider, was as soon as thought of a number one contender to imagine the papacy after the loss of life of Pope John Paul II. Although the white smoke by no means rose for him, Arinze’s journey opened the door wider than ever earlier than for future Black Catholic leaders.
Born in 1932 in Eziowelle, Nigeria, Arinze transformed to Catholicism on the age of 9. His ardour for theology and dedication to the religion shortly set him aside. He was ordained a priest at age 25, and by 32, he was the youngest bishop on the planet. His deep mind, mixed together with his mild demeanor and fluency in a number of languages, earned him nice respect not solely in Africa but additionally throughout the higher echelons of the Vatican.
Throughout his profession, Arinze performed a vital function in interfaith dialogue, serving as President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue for practically 20 years. He turned a key determine in encouraging cooperation between Christians and Muslims, notably throughout occasions of worldwide spiritual rigidity. When Pope John Paul II elevated him to cardinal in 1985, many believed it was solely a matter of time earlier than the Church would critically contemplate breaking its 2,000-year custom of European papacies.
When John Paul II handed away in 2005, hypothesis surrounding the following pope reached a fever pitch. In lots of media retailers and Catholic circles, Arinze was a outstanding title on the quick listing. He was admired for his doctrinal conservatism, charisma, and long-standing service to the Church. For hundreds of thousands of African Catholics, his potential rise to the papacy represented not simply progress however long-overdue recognition of the continent’s rising significance in international Christianity.
In the end, the conclave selected Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who turned Pope Benedict XVI. Whereas Arinze by no means voiced disappointment, these near him say he understood the historic weight he carried and the symbolism his election would have represented. Nonetheless, he remained energetic in his function on the Vatican till his retirement, persevering with to write down and educate.
Although Francis Arinze didn’t turn out to be pope, his near-election modified the Church in some ways. It demonstrated that management on the highest degree of Catholicism might come from any continent, and it planted the concept sometime — maybe quickly — the world will lastly witness the election of a Black pope. In that sense, Arinze’s legacy is outlined by how shut the world got here to rewriting historical past.
