Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, a prominent Ghanaian Catholic leader, is a strong contender to succeed Pope Francis as the new Pope. Born on October 11, 1948, in Nsuta-Wassaw, Turkson has had a distinguished career in the Catholic Church.

With fluency in six languages, Turkson was ordained a priest in 1975 and went on to serve as Archbishop of Cape Coast and Ghana's first cardinal. He has held key roles in the Vatican, including President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

Turkson is known for his advocacy on social justice, climate action, and interreligious dialogue. He has proposed a global financial authority and supports decriminalizing homosexuality. His experience and global recognition make him a potential candidate for the papacy, having been considered in the 2013 conclave.