An African cardinal known for his conservative and traditional views has emerged as a contender to be the next Pope. Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea is a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage and gender ideology, with some seeing him as the candidate able to stop the adoption of more progressive views under the reign of Pope Francis.
The so-called “anti-woke Pope” has also been critical of Islamic fundamentalism, Western secularism and mass migration, views that at times put him at odds with the late pontiff. An old video recording of Sarah has gone viral in which he claims that his biggest worry is that “Europe has lost the sense of its origins.” He said: “It has lost its roots… I’m afraid the West is dying… You are invaded still by other cultures, other people which will progressively dominate you by their numbers and completely change your culture, your convictions, your culture.”
Pope Francis is likely to be remembered as a progressive pontiff. In his 12 years as leader, he oversaw a transformation of the Roman Catholic Church.
Francis promoted issues such as climate change and extended an olive branch to members of the LGBT community who had previously felt unwelcome in the church.
Many of the 135 cardinals set to vote on Francis’ successor were appointed by the late pontiff, leading many to believe that a continuation of progression is the most likely outcome of the secret vote in the Sistine Chapel.
The more conservative elements of the College of Cardinals are likely to fight this, giving Sarah and others like him an outside chance of success.
Sarah and Francis’ predecessor Pope Benedict, co-authored a book advocating the “necessity of continued celibacy for Latin Rite priests, something that many saw as being in opposition to the teachings of Pope Francis.
In the wake of the death of Pope Francis, several, high-profile influencers within MAGA and the Conservative, evangelical right have shared glowing praise for the Guinean’s credentials.
Nick Sortor, a popular MAGA podcast host with 953,000 followers posted on X: “Wow! One of the frontrunners for Pope, Cardinal Robert Sarah, is a hardliner against mass migration.”
Fellow MAGA influencer with 613,000 followers, quoted the cardinal and said: “Make him the next Pope!”
Pope Francis was a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s policies on migration and welfare, with his opposition leading to a muted response to his death from Washington.
Donald Trump posted a brief message on Truth social several hours after his death whilst MAGA acolyte Majorie Taylor Greene posted that “Evil is being defeated by the hand of God,” in an apparent reference to the pontiff’s death.
Currently, Sarah is a rank outsider for election, with bookmakers at William Hill placing him at 14/1 to be chosen. However, papacy elections are renowned for success for outside candidates, with Pope Francis entering the conclave as the 15th favourite in 2013.