Replacement Pope Candidate Cardinal Peter Turkson Studied In Albany Area

Once the news of Pope Benedict XVI's resignation broke, many immediately shifted their focus to who the next pope would be. One of the primary candidates, Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, studied in the Albany, NY area while ascending the ranks towards becoming a member of the "papibile," the group of Cardinals considered to be front runners for replacing the pope.

Turkson, originally from Ghana, studied at the St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary in Rensselaer, which has since been shuttered. He studied there for four years.

In addition to his studies, Turkson has also worked with churches in Arbor Hill and worked with Dr. Joseph Marotta to discuss a medical mission project that would bring first rate medical care to his native Ghana.

Not only would the election of Turkson mean that someone with local ties would be the pope, it would also be the first election of an black pope, which would surely be a historic milestone.