Who is Robert Sarah, the controversial African cardinal now among the leading contenders to become the next Pope
A champion of the Catholic Church’s most traditional and conservative wing and seen as a frontrunner to be elected Supreme Pontiff.
Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, the Vatican has entered the period known as Sede Vacante. During this transitional phase—between the death of the Bishop of Rome and the naming of his successor—the role of leadership passes to the camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church. In this case, that responsibility falls to Kevin Farrell, who will oversee the preparations for the upcoming conclave.
As Sede Vacante begins, speculation intensifies around the world over who might be chosen as the next pope. One of the best-positioned candidates is Cardinal Robert Sarah, a staunch defender of the Church’s most conservative vision.
Who is Robert Sarah
Born in 1945 in Guinea, Robert Sarah has served the Church in a variety of roles over a long and influential career. He led the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments until 2021 and is widely regarded as a leading voice of the Church’s traditionalist wing. His path has been shaped by opposition to African dictatorships and by unwavering support for doctrine and liturgical discipline.
Sarah has often argued that the world’s spiritual and societal crises stem from the loss of reverence for God, and that Catholics must rediscover a sense of awe in the face of divine mystery. He has authored several books criticizing what he calls the “cultural colonization” of the West, while also advocating for solutions to the deep social challenges facing nations in the global south.
These positions have made him a favorite among those who yearn for a Church rooted firmly in doctrine, traditional liturgy, and strict discipline. His election would mark a historic turning point—he would become the first Black pope in Church history. That said, age may be a limiting factor: Sarah is 79, and cardinals lose their voting rights in conclave once they reach 80.
A vocal critic of Francis’s reforms
In recent years, Robert Sarah has stirred controversy with his outspoken opposition to several key developments under Pope Francis. One of the most prominent moments came when he publicly rejected a Vatican declaration, approved by Francis, that opened the door for blessings of same-sex couples. He has also condemned what he describes as a “new unisex culture” that, in his view, aims to dismantle the traditional family structure.
See also: The longest conclave in history: 1,006 days, cardinals dying, and only bread and water
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