As the world mourns the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church now faces a critical moment in choosing its next spiritual leader.

The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta within Vatican City, setting in motion the process to select his successor.

Cardinal Peter Turkson, a Ghanaian prelate who may make history as the first Black Pope, is among the top contenders for the papacy.

Turkson, previously the Bishop of Cape Coast, attracted notice abroad when Pope Benedict XVI named him a peace envoy to South Sudan.

While stressing respect for local cultural norms, Turkson has spoken out against anti-LGBTQ+ policies in Africa.

According to ET Now, he was a major player in the 2013 conclave selecting Pope Francis and is still a revered, moderate voice inside the Church.

Originally appointed cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2003, Turkson presently acts as Pontifical Academy of Sciences? chancellor.

The Week reports that his opinions on homosexuality, environment, and social justice have sometimes caused him conflict with more orthodox cardinals and bishops in Ghana, his own country.

Originally from a family of ten children in Western Ghana, Turkson started his seminary education in New York as well as Ghana.

He continued his study at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome following his ordination in 1975, obtaining a licentiate and doctorate in scripture studies.

Speaking German, French, Italian, and English, he is well-known for his intellectual depth and worldwide viewpoint.

Pope John Paul II named him Archbishop of Cape Coast, Ghana, in 1992; he became a cardinal in 2003.

Pope Benedict XVI invited Turkson to Rome in 2009 to head the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, a post he kept under Pope Francis.

He started as the first prefect of the newly established Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development in 2016.

Turkson moved from his post at dicastery in April 2022 to become chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

According to Deccan Herald, the concept of an African pope is gaining more popularity since the Catholic population of Africa is rising gradually.

Turkson is among the most eminent personalities in the debate on the papacy?s destiny as the Church confronts a turning point. (The PUNCH)

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