I just saw a post to the effect that Cardinal Arinze is in the frame to be the new Pope. The poster declared that that Cardinal would, if it turns out to be true, be the first Black pope in history. And then it occurred to me that we’ve had a previous iteration of this frenzy before. Yes, that’s right- in 2005, following the passing of Pope John Paul. It came to nothing.

Two other things struck me. The first is that, in fact, a Cardinal Arinze or Cardinal Lumumba will not be the first Black Pope in history. That honour, from my findings, belongs to Pope Saint Victor I, who led the Roman Catholic Church between 189 and 199AD- more than 1800 years ago. I shall return to him in moment. The second is related to the first: when Pope Saint Victor I became the Pope more than 18 centuries ago, it appeared that it was no more extraordinary than the ascension of his predecessors. In fact, it sounded very ordinary indeed. And as I understand it, other Popes of African origins have followed after him.

Here, then, is my take on this: it is an unfortunate sign of societal regress, certainly not progress, that the prospect of a Black Pope is catching attention as something out of the ordinary. Let’s set aside the fact that majority of Catholic faithfuls today are found in Africa and Latin America. That would be a good enough reason to consider the frenzy around a prospective Black Pope absurd, rather than ordinary and routine. But I am not even looking at this from the perspective of representation and the game of numbers.

Instead, I am starring at a more serious and uncomfortable fact here: that in 1800 years, humanity has in many ways regressed on the front of racial justice and equity- so much so that an event that was probably more ordinary and more routine in AD 189 has attracted so much attention- I mean, even the mere prospect of it- 18 centuries after! The current world order rests on a matrix of domination, sustained by the twin pillars of racial superiority and racial purity-both equally nefarious, both equally toxic.

Don’t get me wrong. I understand why the prospect of a Black Pope has is generating so much frenzy. I am just saying that I don’t see it as a cause for celebration, but a jolt to the sobering reality that this is being seen as an extraordinary prospect- about two millennia after the establishment of the Catholic Church.

Meanwhile, I asked ChatGPT to say something about Pope Saint Victor I. Below is what it came up with. Happy reading:

Pope Saint Victor I: Background and Legacy

Pope Saint Victor I served as Bishop of Rome from approximately 189 to 199 AD, during a formative period in early Christian history. He holds a distinguished place in Church history as the first pope of Black African heritage, originating from the Roman province of Africa (in present-day North Africa). His elevation to the papacy in the 2nd century reflects the early Church’s diversity and the significant role African Christians played in shaping Christian doctrine and practice.

Victor I’s papacy is especially noted for his strong leadership during theological disputes, most prominently the Quartodeciman Controversy, which concerned the appropriate date to celebrate Easter. While Christian communities in Asia Minor observed Easter on the 14th day of Nisan, aligning with the Jewish Passover, the Church in Rome celebrated it on the Sunday following Passover. Victor advocated for unifying the observance of Easter on Sunday across all Christian communities. Although his effort to enforce this practice through threats of excommunication was met with resistance by leaders such as St. Irenaeus, it was a pivotal move toward liturgical unity within the early Church.

Another important contribution of Pope Victor I was the introduction and promotion of Latin as a liturgical language in the Roman Church, replacing Greek in many official functions. This transition was instrumental in establishing Latin as the foundational language of Western Christianity, influencing centuries of Church doctrine, scholarship, and administration.

Victor was also known for his compassionate leadership and advocacy for persecuted Christians. During a time when the Roman Empire remained suspicious and, at times, openly hostile toward the Christian faith, Victor supported imprisoned and oppressed believers, reinforcing the Church’s mission of solidarity and mercy.

Though the exact circumstances of his death remain unclear, Pope Victor I is traditionally considered a martyr for the faith. He was later canonized, and his feast day is celebrated on July 28.

The legacy of Pope Victor I endures not only in his contributions to Church structure and unity but also as a powerful reminder of the deep and early presence of Black leadership in Christianity. His papacy stands as a testament to the global, inclusive, and multicultural roots of the Christian faith.