Following the recent death of Pope Francis I, social media platforms were awash with posts from people asking if the next Bishop of Rome will be picked from an African Cardinal.
“When will the Catholic Church elect an African Pope?” People on the continent queried.
But it seems most Catholics have no idea that their church had already installed three Popes from Africa.
Yes! There have been three African Popes in Catholic Church history.
The three great men of African origin once led the Vatican-based Universal Church, and their legacies still speak volumes today.
Saint Victor I: The Pope from 189 to 199 AD
Victor hails from Leptis Magna, which is the modern-day Libya spreading all the way to Tunisia. He was the first known African Pope.
He reigned during the time of African emperor Septimius Severus.
His Legacy includes Fixing the Easter Holiday to be celebrated on Sunday, globally.
Pope Victor also made Latin the official language of the Church.
He defended the divinity of Christ by excommunicating heretics.
Saint Miltiades: The second Catholic Pope who reigned between 311AD and 314 AD.
Miltiades was the Catholic leader during one of the Church’s most challenging times of persecution.
Pope Miltiades helped usher in the Edict of Milan (313 AD), which legalized Christianity.
He received the Lateran Palace from Emperor Constantine, the first Papal residence.
This second African Pope is credited with promoting peace and unity in the Church.
The Pope also banned fasting on Sundays in honor of Christ’s resurrection.
Saint Gelasius I: The third Catholic Pope from Africa ruling from 492 to 496 AD.
Gelasius was born to African parents, and headed the Catholic Church during the chaos of the collapsing Roman Empire.
Part of Gelasius Legacy is being the first pope to be referred to as the “Vicar of Christ”.
Pope Gelasius I, defended the authority of the papacy as being founded on Saint Peter.
He also taught that the Church is above all civil powers in spiritual matters.
Gelasius is also remembered for feeding the hungry people of Rome with his own resources during famine.
This third Pope with Africa origins is the one who introduced Communion under both kinds, ‘Body and Blood of Christ.’
With that therefore, people who keep posting online regarding ‘black popes,’ should know that Africa has already given the Catholic Church three heroic Popes who even shaped its current foundations!