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The returning astronauts are expected to land on April 29.KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — If the next pope is from sub-Saharan Africa, he would be the first in Catholic Church history. Catholic Africans think it is a long shot, though some are cautiously optimistic that Pope Francis’ successor could be a Black cardinal from their continent.

The answer will come soon, as the cardinals eligible to elect the new pope open theirnext Wednesday at the Sistine Chapel.At least three African cardinals are among those currently cited as “papabile,” the term used by Vatican observers to describe possible contenders to lead the Catholic Church.

They are Cardinals Robert Sarah of Guinea, Peter Turkson of Ghana and Fridolin Ambongo of Congo.If any of them is selected, he would be the first African pope in more than 1,500 years and the first ever from sub-Saharan Africa. That historical record makes many in Africa eager for change — but not overly hopeful.

Before the 2005 conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI, there was much media attention around Francis Arinze, a highly respected cardinal born in Nigeria, raising questions even then about whether the world was ready for a Black pope from Africa.

Two decades later, Catholicism continues to decline in Europe while it grows in the developing world. The number of Catholics is growing faster in Africa than anywhere else.The exhibit also showcases her contributions to creating dazzling public spaces on a budget by combining handwoven and power-loomed textiles. There are saturated brilliant colors and extensive use of metallics. Examples are the Persian Room of the Plaza Hotel (where textile panels were embedded with tiny lightbulbs); the Marco Polo Club at the Waldorf Astoria; and the Usonian Exhibition House, built on the site where the Guggenheim Museum now stands.

And Liebes helped create consumer goods, including tiles and wallpaper. She had a hand in industry’s development of synthetic materials, and worked to encourage their use by both top designers and consumers.Lurex woven fabrics, for example, in dazzling jewel tones designed to look handwoven, were favored for swimwear and raincoats, as well as washable clothing.

(Elliot Goldstein/Smithsonian Institution via AP)(Elliot Goldstein/Smithsonian Institution via AP)