CONFIRMED: According to Ekwutosblog, Bishop Peter Okpaleke(Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia) is the only Nigerian Bishop that is eligible to vote for a New Pope.

Cardinal Francis Arinze is no longer eligible to vote for the next Pope.

It has been confirmed that Nigeria is represented by one elector and three non-elector cardinals. The sole Nigerian elector is Peter Okpaleke, the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia in Anambra State. Okpaleke was appointed a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022. The other Nigerian Non-elector cardinals are:
(1) Francis Arinze (92years old),
(3) John Onaiyekan (81 years old)
(3) Anthony Olubunmi Okogie( 88years old).

Even though the 3 non-elector cardinals are not eligible to vote in the election, they can still participate in the discussions surrounding the selection of the new pope.

US President Donald Trump on Monday, ordered that American flags be flown at half-mast to honour Pope Francis.

This comes after Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him!”

Trump said he signed an executive order putting the flags of the country, all of them, all federal flags and state flags at half mast in honor of Pope Francis.

The US President described the pontiff as a good man, who worked so hard and loved the world.

“As a mark of respect for the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset on the day of interment.

“I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations,” Trump stated.

As the world grieves the passing of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church finds itself at a defining crossroads with the selection of its next spiritual leader.

The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta, marking the beginning of the process to elect his successor.

While preparations for his funeral are underway, attention has swiftly shifted to the list of possible successors, with two African Cardinals—Peter Turkson of Ghana and Robert Sarah of Guinea—emerging as prominent contenders.

Cardinal Peter Turkson

Cardinal Peter Turkson, 76, is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most influential Catholic figures. Born in Ghana, Turkson became the Archbishop of Cape Coast in 1992 under Pope John Paul II and was elevated to cardinal in 2003, becoming the first Ghanaian to hold the title.

Over the years, Turkson has been at the forefront of Vatican conversations on social justice, climate change, and human rights. He has served as President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and later became the first Prefect of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development, a role created by Pope Francis.

Turkson is known for championing a more inclusive and compassionate Church, addressing global issues like poverty and environmental degradation while holding moderately progressive views on matters such as homosexuality. His election would mark a historic moment, as he would become the first Black African pope.

Cardinal Robert Sarah

At 79, Cardinal Robert Sarah stands as a strong voice for Catholic orthodoxy. Born in Guinea, Sarah has had a distinguished career within the Vatican, serving as Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments from 2014 until his retirement in 2021.

Throughout his tenure, Sarah became known for his unwavering defence of traditional Catholic liturgy and doctrine, including his opposition to same-sex marriage, abortion, and modern gender ideologies. He has also publicly criticised Islamic extremism, positioning himself as a defender of both Catholic identity and global stability.

In 2016, he sparked debate by advocating for priests to celebrate Mass facing the altar, a practice largely abandoned after the Second Vatican Council. His conservative theology and commitment to preserving the Church’s ancient traditions have earned him both respect and criticism within the Catholic world.