In the hours following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, there was significant speculation regarding potential successors, with Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea emerging as a notable candidate within conservative circles.

Many traditionalist Catholics have expressed a desire for an “anti-woke Pope,” and Cardinal Sarah’s views align with this sentiment.

He is known for his firm stances on various issues, including opposition to same-sex marriage, gender ideology, and concerns related to Western secularism, Islamic fundamentalism, and the impact of uncontrolled migration on European culture and values.

However, before the Pope’s death, many credible Catholic conservatives considered Cardinal Sarah an unlikely choice due to his outspoken nature, conservative views, and his age of 79, which could hinder his chances of garnering support among the Cardinals who would convene in the conclave to select the next pontiff.

In fact, betting sites had only given him a 2% chance of being elected.

Despite these challenges, Cardinal Sarah’s prospects gained traction thanks in part to viral sound bites shared within conservative social media networks.

A grainy, unattributed video interview featuring Cardinal Sarah discussing the threats posed by migration to Europe began circulating as the news of the Pope’s passing spread.

In the video, he expressed concerns about Europe losing its cultural roots and being “invaded” by other cultures.

His remarks resonated with conservatives; for instance, conservative influencer Nick Sortor highlighted Cardinal Sarah as a strong opponent of mass migration.

Support for Cardinal Sarah extended beyond conservative circles.

Pro-Russian accounts, such as Radio Genoa and African Hub, with substantial followings, also voiced support, declaring that Catholics around the world favored him as the next Pope.

The surge in interest can be traced back to a Catholic social media influencer from Kerala, India, named Sachin Jose Ettiyil.

He posted a list of candidates most likely to be elected Pope, placing Cardinal Sarah at the top. This post garnered significant attention, amassing 1.6 million views, further fueling the ongoing discussion about Cardinal Sarah’s candidacy.