As cardinals gather for the conclave set to begin Wednesday, Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea emerges as a favored figure among some conservative Catholics globally. The 79-year-old prelate is seen by supporters as a potential successor to Pope Francis who would steer the Catholic Church toward greater doctrinal clarity and tradition.
Cardinal Robert Sarah, a former prefect of the Vatican's liturgy office, has become known for his outspoken commentary on church matters and broader cultural trends. He has voiced strong opposition to allowing blessings for couples in situations the church deems "irregular," including same-sex unions. He described one such declaration as the work of the "Divider."
His conservative views extend to liturgy, where he has defended the celebration of the traditional Latin Mass, restricted by Pope Francis's decree Traditionis Custodes. Cardinal Sarah has also expressed concern about what he views as cultural shifts in the West, warning about migration and secularism.
Support for Cardinal Sarah is noticeable among traditionalist Catholics and conservative media outlets, particularly in France and the United States. Social media platforms have seen his name circulated widely as a candidate for the papacy following Pope Francis's death.
However, the narrative surrounding Cardinal Sarah's conservative profile encounters nuance, particularly within Africa. While he has praised African bishops as upholding divine truth, he has also criticized some African liturgical practices, describing them as "too African and not Christian enough."
African theologians note that while Cardinal Sarah holds conservative views, they are not always directly comparable to conservatism in the West. SimonMary Asese Aihiokhai, a Nigerian-born theologian, suggested understanding Sarah within the context of the church in Guinea.
The cardinal was appointed archbishop of Conakry in 1979, the youngest bishop globally at that time. He later served in the Vatican under Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, who made him the first cardinal from Guinea.
Cardinal Sarah was appointed prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments by Pope Francis in 2014. Despite this role, he became a notable critic of the current pontiff on specific issues.
As the College of Cardinals prepares to vote, Cardinal Sarah is counted among those who could be elected, though betting markets and Vatican observers do not place him among the top favorites. His age, 79, makes him eligible to participate in the conclave, but a lengthy pontificate would be unlikely.
Ultimately, the choice rests with the 133 cardinal electors. As Luka Lawrence Ndenge, an emergency officer with Caritas in South Sudan, commented, "For us, it does not matter whether he is African, White or Black. What matters is having a good, holy pope who can unite Catholics across the world."
