Can popes have children

Answer 1

A pope is a bishop and bishops are not allowed to marry since the office of the priesthood in the western rite is one that demands celibacy. Even if the pope attempted to contract a marriage it would not be valid, since his holy orders are an impediment.

nope

It's actually not doctrinally binding that

popes

CAN'T be married. However, the church teaches through church discipline (which can be changed by the

pope

if he so desires) that at this time the best interests of the church do not include marraige for the priesthood OR bishops. The pope is the bishop of rome and so is therefore likewise prohibited from marraige.

This allows complete focus on the church, reduced costs of housing and feeding families of priests, also privacy for those who confess.

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Answer 2

Technically, yes, but no pope in recent history has had children. A man could have children, lost his wife due to death and then became a priest rising to the rank of cardinal and eventually being elected as pope. It is a highly unlikely situation, however.

Also, any Catholic male can be elected as pope so a married man with children could, theoretically, be elected as pope. This is about as likely to happen as pigs learning to fly. For centuries the pope has been chosen from among the College of Cardinals.

Several popes of the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods are known to have children, usually (but not always) choosing to refer to them as their 'nephews'. Russel Chamberlin (The Bad Popes) says that Pope Innocent VIII was the first of the popes to acknowledge openly his illegitimate children and, setting aside all established usage, to load them with riches.

No pope in modern times is known to have had children, even while still a cardinal.

Answer 3

"The Pope can not get married. Nor can priests, unless they were married before they join the priesthood."

Actually, they USED to be able to, in the early days of the church. The problems came in, when women would divorce priests (whatever the reason), and would be awarded Parish Monies as alimony. The Pope and the council of Cardinals decided to make the priesthood celibate, to avoid losing parish money. It never was done for an actual religious reason. :)

Answer 4

The correct answer is 39! Before 1200 AD most of them were married. The Apostles were married. Pope Gregory came up with celibacy in 1200. There would be 10,000 more priests today, and far fewer sore altar boys.

Answer 5

Technically, yes, but no pope in recent history has had children. A man could have children, lost his wife due to death and then became a priest rising to the rank of cardinal and eventually being elected as pope. It is a highly unlikely situation, however.

Also, any Catholic male can be elected as pope so a married man with children could, theoretically, be elected as pope. This is about as likely to happen as pigs learning to fly. For centuries the pope has been chosen from among the College of Cardinals.

Answer 6

Several popes of the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods are known to have children, usually (but not always) choosing to refer to them as their 'nephews'. Russel Chamberlin (The Bad Popes) says that Pope Innocent VIII was the first of the popes to acknowledge openly his illegitimate children and, setting aside all established usage, to load them with riches.

No pope in modern times is known to have had children, even while still a cardinal.

Answer 7

Married Popes:

• Saint Peter (Simon Peter), whose mother-in-law is mentioned in the Gospel verses Matthew 8:14-15, Luke 4:38, Mark 1:29-31.
• Pope St. Hormisdas (514-523) was married and widowed before he took Holy Orders. He was the father of Pope St. Silverius.
• Pope Adrian II (867-872) was married before he took Holy Orders,to a woman called Stephania, and had a daughter. His wife and daughter were still living when he was elected Pope and resided with him in the Lateran Palace.
  
• Pope John XVII (1003) was married before his election as Pope and had three sons, who all became priests.
• Pope Clement IV (1265-1268) was married, before taking Holy Orders, and had two daughters, who both entered a convent.