Fr. Dwight Longenecker: Why We Need a Pope From Africa

As the cardinals gather in conclave, one of the questions on our minds is how the global Church can grow in unity. Francis’ pontificate aggravated deep differences between tradition and progress, between the developing world and the global south, and between continuity and innovation.

In addition to the turmoil in the Church, the complexities of the 21st century have thrown us into a whirlwind of unprecedented technological change, bringing about upheavals in our understanding of the human person and conflicts in politics, economics, education, and health care. In the midst of the maelstrom and the shifting sands, where does one find the rock on which to build? ….