An African pope would show that African Catholicism has come of age , says Stan Chu Ilo . Pope Francis is expected to visit Kenya in September and will be the first pontiff from Africa since John Paul II visited Uganda in 1979. Pope Benedict XVI has described Africa as a `` Spiritual Lung '' for humanity . Stan Chu Ilo asks : Is the Catholic Church ready for a black pope ?
An African pope would show that African Catholicism has come of age , says Stan Chu Ilo . Latin America and Africa account for more than half of the world 's Catholics . Pope Benedict XVI has described Africa as a `` Spiritual Lung '' for humanity . Stan Chu Ilo asks : Is the Catholic Church ready for a black pope ?