Following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, the world’s attention has shifted to the Vatican, where preparations are underway to elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Among the 137 cardinal electors from around the globe who will take part in the secretive voting process is only one Nigerian — Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke, the Bishop of Ekwulobia in Anambra State.
Cardinal Okpaleke, who was appointed to the College of Cardinals by the late Pope Francis in 2022, will represent not just Nigeria but all of West Africa during the historic conclave set to take place in the Sistine Chapel later this month or in early May.
Nigeria, one of Africa’s most populous and devoutly Catholic nations, currently has four cardinals, but only one is eligible to vote in the upcoming papal election. The other three — Francis Arinze (92), John Onaiyekan (81), and Anthony Olubunmi Okogie (88) — have all passed the age of 80, which, according to Vatican rules, makes them ineligible to participate in the secret ballot.
However, they are permitted to take part in the preliminary discussions and deliberations ahead of the conclave, where issues affecting the Church globally will be discussed.
Cardinal Peter Okpaleke, now 61, is the only Nigerian with voting rights in this crucial conclave, and he is expected to be a voice not only for Nigeria but also for Africa’s growing Catholic population. His participation reflects the increasing significance of African Catholics in the global Church, where the continent continues to see rapid growth in both vocations and believers.
Born on March 1, 1963, in Amesi, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Cardinal Okpaleke has had a distinguished journey in the Catholic Church, marked by both spiritual dedication and perseverance.
He studied philosophy and theology at the Bigard Memorial Major Seminary in Ikot-Ekpene and Enugu between 1983 and 1992. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Awka on August 22, 1990.
Much of his early priesthood was spent working in administrative roles within the Church. He served as Assistant Secretary to the Bishop from 1992 to 1995 and later became the Diocesan Financial Administrator from 1997 to 1999. His longest and most impactful role came between 2002 and 2011, when he served as the Diocesan Chancellor.
In addition to his work in Church administration, Cardinal Okpaleke also served in pastoral positions, including as chaplain at Nnamdi Azikiwe University and parish priest in several communities.
Okpaleke’s journey to becoming a bishop was not without its challenges. In 2012, he was appointed Bishop of Ahiara by then Pope Benedict XVI. However, the appointment sparked controversy as local priests and laity in the Ahiara Diocese rejected him, arguing that he was not from the Mbaise ethnic group which dominates the area.
Despite being consecrated in 2013, he was unable to take up residence or effectively govern the diocese. After years of resistance, he resigned in 2018. But the Vatican did not abandon him.
In 2020, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of the newly created Diocese of Ekwulobia in Anambra State. Then, in a show of confidence and acknowledgment of his humility and strength of character, Pope Francis elevated him to the rank of cardinal on August 27, 2022.
This elevation was seen by many as a reward for his patience, dedication, and loyalty to the Church despite the tough rejection he faced in Ahiara.
Cardinal Okpaleke is regarded as one of the rising stars in the Nigerian Catholic hierarchy. He is known for his intellect, calm demeanor, and strong belief in Church law and order. He belongs to the Canon Law Society of Nigeria and has held several leadership positions within the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).
He currently serves as Chairman of the Canon Law Commission of the CBCN, after previously chairing the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) arm of the same body.
As a cardinal elector, he carries not only his experience and wisdom but also the aspirations of millions of Nigerian Catholics who hope to see a more inclusive and globally representative Church.
The conclave, which will take place in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, is the highly secretive process where eligible cardinals vote to choose the next pope. It is expected to begin between 15 and 20 days after Pope Francis’s burial, as stated by Vatican protocol.
Cardinals will gather from around the world and remain locked away until a consensus is reached through repeated rounds of secret balloting. The outcome of the conclave will determine the next spiritual leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics.
With the late Pope Francis widely respected for his reformist views, commitment to the poor, and concern for climate change and justice, there is high anticipation over whether his successor will follow the same path.
Nigeria is home to one of the largest Catholic populations in Africa, with millions of devoted followers. The Nigerian Church is vibrant, and its priests and missionaries serve across continents. In recent years, Africa has become increasingly central to the Church’s future, with its growing number of young Catholics and vocations to the priesthood.
Cardinal Okpaleke’s role as a voter in the next papal election is therefore not just a personal honour, but a moment of pride and significance for Nigeria.
His presence in the conclave underlines the importance of African perspectives in shaping the future direction of the Catholic Church, especially on issues like poverty, conflict, and evangelism.
As the Catholic world waits to see who will emerge as the next pope, Nigerians at home and in the diaspora will be watching Cardinal Peter Okpaleke closely. For many, he represents a new generation of leaders in the Church — firm in faith, tested by trials, and rooted in the values of service and humility.
Whether or not the next pope comes from Africa, Cardinal Okpaleke’s place in the conclave is a historic moment for the Nigerian Church — a testament to its endurance, growth, and contribution to global Christianity.
