For the first time in recent memory, Africa offers four papabili to the Concalve: The Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson, the Guinean Cardinal Robert Sarah, the South African Napier, and the Congolese Monsengwo Pasinya. The last African Pope was Gelasius I, from 492-496.
Cardinal Robert Sarah is the most experienced of the group in dealing with Rome and the Vatican. Prefect of Cor Unum, the Vatican’s charitable agency, Cardinal Sarah is comfortable in both Africa and Rome.
Culture Wars: Cardinal Sarah follows Benedict’s lead in “the culture wars” (theologically and liturgically conservative) while remaining socially progressive. This may make him something of a compromise candidate for conservatives and moderates while at the same time representing a change of Church focus from Europe to Africa.
Governance (The Curia): Cardinal Sarah knows the Vatican and its politics well and offers hope of someone with both the desire and the know how for meaningful Curial reform. It is so far unclear his relationship to the current “poles” of the Curia: Cardinals Bertone and .
Conclusion: Cardinal Sarah does not offer the charisma, media savy or moxy of a John Paul II, and while known among the College of Cardinals, has not emerged as a dynamic leader up until this point. Last year’s handling of Caritas suggests that he may not provide the thorough overhaul of the Curia many seek.