Can a non-Catholic be pope

Answer 1

No.

It would be theoretically possible for a non-catholic to be elected pope. However, that person would have to be baptised, ordained priest, and consecrated a bishop before they could actually hold the office of pope.

The traditional explanation for that is that the apostles = the first bishops and Peter the apostle = the first pope. So the pope is taken from among the bishops, and usually from the college of cardinals who elect the pope.

However, there is no restriction on who the cardinals may elect. For example, Pope Gregory the Great was merely a deacon - not yet a priest - when he was elected pope. As noted above, he had to be ordained priest and made bishop before he accepted the office of pope.

Hope that helps!

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Answer 2

To be elected as pope there are two requirements: the person must be male and must be a Catholic. Practically speaking, however, it also helps to be a cardinal.

Answer 3

Yes. Any male Catholic could be chosen as pope. However, that has not happened in several hundred years.