The Archbishop of Kinshasa (in the Democratic Republic of the Congo), aged 65, blends the social legacy of Bergoglio with doctrinal firmness. His profile positions him as a consensus candidate before a conclave marked by polarization and a crisis of credibility.
Following the passing of
Pope Francis, the 2025 conclave faces a historic challenge: electing a leader who can reconcile the reformist legacy of the Argentine pontiff with the demands for doctrinal stability from conservative sectors. In this context, the name of Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (Democratic Republic of Congo, 65 years old) gains momentum as a candidate who could satisfy both wings. A bridge between two worlds.
Ambongo, a Capuchin Franciscan and president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), embodies the paradox of a Church in transition. On one hand, he is a direct heir to Francis’ project: promoting social justice, denouncing resource exploitation in Congo, and advocating for migrants. His austere lifestyle—similar to Bergoglio’s—and proximity to the poor have earned him the nickname “the African Francis.”
However, on moral issues, Ambongo has been a critical voice against progressive openings. In 2023, he led the continental rejection of Fiducia Supplicans, a document that authorizes blessings for same-sex couples, arguing that in Africa—where 30 countries criminalize homosexuality—this measure would cause “confusion and persecution.” His stance aligns him with global conservatives but lacks the confrontational tone of figures like Cardinal Burke.
Diplomacy in Times of Cultural War
Vatican analysts
highlight his ability to negotiate without breaking unity. During the Synod of Synodality (2021-2023), he supported the decentralization of decisions towards episcopal conferences but warned against “innovations that divide.” This balance may enable him to mediate between polarized sectors: European progressives seeking inclusion and African or Asian traditionalists demanding doctrinal clarity.
His experience in conflict zones also adds value. As Archbishop of Kinshasa, he faced threats from Kabila’s government and mediated in ethnic crises, demonstrating the resilient leadership that the Vatican needs given conflicts like those in Gaza or Ukraine.
Africa: Rising Continent, Growing Church
The election of an African pope would reflect the demographic shift of Catholicism. While Europe loses faithful, Africa accounts for 25% of the global Catholic population and 40% of seminaries. Ambongo symbolizes this change: educated in Rome but grounded in the realities of his continent, where the Church competes with evangelical churches and geopolitical tensions.
His management at SECAM—promoting programs against poverty and interreligious dialogue—shows a faith connected to social action, key to maintaining relevance in young and unequal societies.
Age and Strategy: A Transitional Papacy?
At 65, Ambongo offers a potential mandate of 10-15 years, enough to consolidate reforms without the weariness of extended papacies. His vitality contrasts with the frail image that Francis projected in his later years, while mitigating the risks of a candidate who is too young and inexperienced.
Risks and Challenges
Criticized for his calculated ambiguity, some fear that his papacy may postpone urgent decisions, such as including women in leadership positions or Vatican financial reform. Additionally, his focus on regional autonomy could weaken central authority, deepening fractures.
Conclusion: In a conclave where no single factor holds an absolute majority, Fridolin Ambongo Besungu emerges not as a revolutionary but as a craftsman of consensus. His papacy would promise continuity in the option for the poor, restraint on disruptive moral changes, and a diplomacy capable of navigating the tempests of the 21st century. The question remains whether his equilibrium will be sufficient for a Church that cries out for both hope and certainties.