Peter Turkson is a name that has been making some waves recently, especially with the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday at his Vatican residence. This is because Turkson, a respected Catholic Cardinal, is one of the top contenders to replace the late Pope.
It goes without saying that with the passing of Pope Francis, the Roman Catholic Church stands at a defining moment. And, as the global faithful await the College of Cardinals to elect a new spiritual leader, Cardinal Peter Turkson has emerged as one of the most closely watched and highly respected candidates—potentially making history as the first Black Pope in modern history.
Who Is Cardinal Peter Turkson?
As we have already pointed out, Cardinal Peter Turkson is a distinguished figure in the Catholic Church and a prominent candidate for the papacy. The respected prelate and cardinal of the Catholic Church traces his roots to the small town of Wassa Nsuta in Ghana’s Western Region.
Turkson was born on the 11th of October 1948 and is 76 years old at the moment. Turkson was born into a diverse interfaith household. Our findings show that he was born to a mother who was a devout Methodist and a father who was a practicing Catholic. So, Turkson represents a powerful symbol of unity across religious lines.
The Cardinal is of Fante ethnic heritage and was the fourth of ten siblings in a modest family. His mother earned a living as a market vendor, while his father worked as a carpenter. His familial background also includes a paternal uncle who practiced Islam, enriching his early exposure to religious diversity.
Turkson’s Seminary Formation and Theological Excellence
Peter Turkson began his formal religious education at St. Teresa’s Minor Seminary in Amisano, a small town in the KEEA Municipal district, a district in the Central Region of Ghana. He later advanced to St. Peter’s Regional Seminary in Pedu, Cape Coast. Demonstrating exceptional academic promise, Turkson continued his theological studies abroad at St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary in Rensselaer, New York, where he earned a Master of Arts in Theology and a Master of Divinity.
On July 20, 1975, Peter Turkson was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop John Amissah, marking the beginning of his lifelong commitment to ministry. His deep interest in biblical scholarship led him to the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, where he received a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture in 1980.
Upon his return to Ghana in 1980, Peter Turkson dedicated himself to both academic leadership and parish ministry. He served as vice-rector at St. Peter’s Seminary in Pedu from 1981, while also providing pastoral care in a local parish affiliated with the seminary. His dual role as educator and spiritual leader earned him widespread respect among seminarians and clergy alike.
His Doctoral Pursuits and Episcopal Appointment
From 1987 to 1992, Peter Turkson resumed his academic journey in Rome, pursuing doctoral studies in Sacred Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute. Studying the scriptures has always been very close to Turkson’s heart and so he was very excited to study at the Pontifical Biblical Institute.
However, his scholarly work was cut short when he was appointed Archbishop of Cape Coast in 1992—a role that would elevate him into the upper ranks of the global Catholic hierarchy.
How Peter Turkson Rose Through the Ranks of the Catholic Church
Over the years, Peter Turkson grew steadily through the ranks of the Catholic Church, becoming one of the most respected figures in the church. His ascent within the Church began with his appointment as Archbishop of Cape Coast in 1992 by Pope John Paul II, who later elevated him to the rank of cardinal in 2003.
His international profile expanded further in 2009, when Pope Benedict XVI brought him to the Vatican to lead the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. This not only excited Turkson also Ghanaians back home who were proud to have one of their own in such a high-ranking position in the Catholic Church.
In 2016, Pope Francis appointed Turkson as the inaugural prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, a powerful Vatican office tasked with addressing issues like poverty, climate change, human rights, and migration.
Cardinal Peter Turkson held the position until 2022, when he became Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, a post he currently holds.
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He is Considered a Moderate Voice with a Progressive Vision
Widely known for his very measured and truly compassionate approach to everything, Cardinal Peter Turkson has always advocated for dialogue over division. This has endeared many people to him over the years.
The Cardinal has publicly opposed anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Africa while emphasizing the importance of cultural context—a stance that has sometimes put him at odds with more conservative Church leaders, especially within his native Ghana.
Throughout his career, Turkson has remained focused on bridging social and ideological divides, making him a favored figure among those seeking a more globally inclusive and justice-oriented Church.
Turkson is a Key Figure in Past and Present Papal Conclaves
Our findings show that Peter Turkson has been a key figure not just in present papal conclaves but also in previous ones. In fact, Turkson played a significant role in the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis, and his name is once again circulating widely among Vatican observers.
Media outlets including ET Now and The Week have highlighted Turkson’s continued relevance and growing support among the cardinals, particularly as Africa becomes one of the fastest-growing centers of Catholicism.
As the Church prepares for a new chapter, the possibility of Peter Turkson ascending to the papacy has caused excitement in Ghana and around Africa. His growing popularity is also seen as a wider transformation within the Catholic world. Turkson’s unique blend of theological depth, diplomatic experience, and cultural sensitivity positions him as a symbol of the Church’s evolving identity—one that seeks to be more representative of its diverse and global congregation.
Should he be elected, Cardinal Peter Turkson would make history as the first Black Pope in modern history. But, more than that, if elected, his emergence as Pope would also usher in a new vision for the Church.
