JOHANNESBURG (AP) _ In Africa, where the Catholic church continues to grow, both worshippers and clergy have said they hope to see the rise of one of its own after Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation.

In Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, trader Chukwuma Awaegwu said Monday: “In America, now we have a black president. So let’s just feel the impact of a black pope.”

Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of South Africa told The Associated Press he hopes someone from “outside the northern hemisphere” could become pope.

Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, a Nigerian who was made a cardinal in November by Pope Benedict XVI, told AP that “popes come and popes go. It doesn’t mean when a pope comes the church completely changes.”

Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday he will resign on Feb. 28.