Cardinal Peter Turkson is one of the names being floated as a possible successor to Pope Benedict XVI as the next head of the Catholic Church. He would be the first black Pope in the history of the Church and is Ghanaian-born.
It would be a historic moment. The Church is continuing to grow quickly in Africa and choosing a non-European would speak volumes about the Church's plans for growth and be a nod to its emerging members.
Turkson was named as a possible successor to the previous Pope, John Paul, but passed over for Benedict. The Pope is chosen by fellow Cardinals in a process called Conclave that is closed to outsiders.
