It has been 1500 years since the Catholic church has been under the leadership of a Pope of African descent. Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, will direct the Catholic church and the microstate in Rome known as Vatican City. According to Catholic records the last Pope of African descent was Gelasius I (492-496 AD) the 49th Pontiff, his papacy was preceded by only two other Popes,They were Victor I (189-198 AD) and Miltiades (311-314 AD).
Life imitates art
In the HBO movie “Conclave,” you could probably say “life is imitating art,” according to Thomas Reese, S.J., Senior Analyst at the Religious News Service. The movie “Conclave” centers on the secretive papal election process, where the College of Cardinals gathers at the Vatican to choose the next pope. At the beginning of the conclave, an unknown cardinal appears with a handwritten letter from the deceased pope. This cardinal has a secret that, if disclosed to the conclave, could create a quagmire for the entire Catholic Church.
The film follows Dean of the Cardinals Thomas Lawrence as he oversees the conclave, unearthing secrets and scandals surrounding the potential candidates and discovering a major twist that could reshape the future of the Church and its influence on world geopolitics.
The unexpected complication depicted in the movie arises from the conclave’s vetting process, which focuses primarily on a cardinal’s history, specifically sexual abuse allegations. However, the conclave does not extend to areas such as racial background or genealogical lineage. The process of electing a new pope is a deeply spiritual one, where cardinals gather in a conclave, seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit to choose the best leader for the Catholic Church.
The geopolitical power of past Popes
Senior religious analyst at the RAND Corporation, Clifford A. Grammich, believes the pope has geopolitical influence, though it is primarily through “soft power” rather than military or legal authority. During Germany’s rise toward becoming a national socialist country, the pope was the spiritual leader of over 266 million Catholics, and his interventions in international politics were increasingly recognized.
During World War II, Adolf Hitler even considered assassinating Pope Pius XII. However, Hitler ultimately decided on a more cautious and pragmatic approach. Pope Pius XII, who led the Church during most of the war, was a key figure in the Vatican, and the Church wielded considerable moral and political influence. The Vatican represented millions of Catholics, including those in Nazi-occupied Europe, which made direct confrontations with the Church politically complicated.
According to Grammich, Pope John Paul II played a vital role during the fall of communism in Europe. He has been widely credited with significantly contributing to the collapse of communism, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, due to his strong anti-communist stance and his influence on the Solidarity movement in Poland. His 1979 visit to Poland and subsequent political activism are seen as key factors in weakening communist regimes and leading to the eventual dissolution of the Warsaw Pact.
Grammich also explains that the KGB considered killing Pope John Paul II. Specifically, they plotted to assassinate him and bug the Vatican shortly after his election in 1979, according to Czechoslovak secret service documents. This was due to the pope’s perceived anti-communist stance and the threat he posed to the Soviet bloc. The 1981 assassination attempt against Pope John Paul II was also reportedly linked to the KGB, with Bulgarian and East German agents allegedly involved in coordinating the operation, according to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
Grammich describes how a pope of African heritage seated in the Vatican could certainly influence Catholics on the African continent and potentially enhance stabilization. However, he emphasizes that the impact is likely to be multifaceted and dependent on various factors beyond the pope’s origin.
He further states that the selection of a pope with African heritage could foster a sense of pride and belonging within the Catholic community in Africa, potentially leading to increased religious devotion and engagement. Furthermore, it could signal a shift in the Church’s focus toward the African continent, encouraging a greater emphasis on local needs and perspectives.
Nevertheless, the extent to which this would translate into increased stability on the continent is complex and dependent on numerous other factors—particularly given the growing influence of China, Iran, and Russia in Africa. Grammich is clear: most of this is strictly speculative. The conclave is a secretive process, and individuals at think tanks can not read the minds of 133 cardinals and their analysis of papal geopolitics.
Reese agrees. Regarding the newly selected pope’s African heritage, he notes, “Someone in the conclave could have known about it, and outside the Sistine Chapel may have suggested him as a pope. Most of the cardinals do not know each other and wear name tags with their country of origin. It’s hard to say why the conclave chose him,” said Reese.
Some are speculating that he could have been selected because of his biracial genetic makeup. It may have sent a symbolic message to the world, especially after Donald Trump’s public recommendation of Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
Some Vatican observers and experts believe that Dolan is perceived as “too American” in his style and approach, which could hinder his chances. A statement from Trump may have put a spotlight on which American would send the “perfect” message. Still, it’s all speculation. The only discernible pattern in relation to the conclave and America is this: there is a strong cultural preference within the Church to avoid electing popes from global superpowers like the United States. It’s seen as potentially limiting the Church’s ability to reach out to other parts of the developing world.
Selecting a pope from a superpower might create paranoia that the election was influenced—or even fixed—by intelligence agencies like the CIA or manipulated by Wall Street interests. “I believe the developing countries in the South would believe this,” one observer said.
The election of a mixed-race pope could be a strategic move aimed at mitigating negative perceptions about the Church. The idea is that this individual may be seen as less likely to be biased or beholden to the interests of the elite, and his presence could be perceived as a sign of the Church’s commitment to addressing global inequalities. Or perhaps, simply, he was the best candidate for pope.
Past African popes
According to Catholic records, there have been three historically recognized African popes: Pope Victor I, Pope Miltiades, and Pope Gelasius I. All are believed to have been of North African descent, and their reigns spanned from the 2nd to 5th centuries AD.
Historians point out that ancient North Africa was considered something of a Bible Belt. Many also believe that race was not a significant issue in ancient Rome. They were either considered a good Roman or a bad Roman—identity was determined more by loyalty and civic virtue than by skin color.
This perspective is even reflected in Hollywood portrayals such as Denzel Washington’s depiction of Macrinus in the movie Gladiator II. Macrinus was a real historical figure who served briefly as a Roman emperor and was of North African origin.
Today, Pope Leo XIV’s election brings these ancient connections back into the global spotlight. His heritage—along with his reputation for humility, scholarship, and cross-cultural sensitivity—marks a pivotal moment for a church that increasingly finds its growth in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
As many Catholics praise his selection outside of Saint Bernadette’s Catholic Church located in Baldwin Hills, California, many may assume Catholics around the world are praying for Pope Leo XIV to be strong and prepared for the courtroom of cultural assumptions that may be the byproduct of a mixed-race pope.