African pope

An African pope is a pope of African birth or heritage.

Bishops of Rome

Three Africans are known to have occupied the See of Rome.

According to the records of the Liber Pontificalis, all three were from the Roman Province of Africa (corresponding to the territory of modern Tunisia and Libya). The conquest of Byzantine North Africa by Islam during the 7th century largely eliminated the chance for another African pope until modern times. Being not only from North Africa, but also members of the Roman populace situated there, they may have been of the Caucasoid race.
*Pope Victor I (189 to 199)
*Pope Miltiades (310/311 to 314)
*Pope Gelasius I (492 to 496)

Other Sees

The Greek Orthodox Church has a patriarch whose formal title is the Patriarch and Pope of Alexandria and All Africa. In addition, the head of the Coptic Church is traditionally styled the Coptic Pope and is also based in Alexandria, Egypt. The incumbents of these two offices can be considered African popes.

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