Do you have to be a bishop to become pope?

Answer 1

The man elected as pope does not have to be ordained. However, once he is elected as pope he must be ordained as a bishop before he can be installed as pope. An example is Pope Elect Stephen II. He was a layman who was elected as pope. Before he could be made a bishop, however, he died, just two days after his election. Therefore, having never been a bishop, he is not considered to have been a pope,

Answer 2

Yes and no. The only requirement to be elected as pope is that you are a male Catholic. However, before you can be installed as pope you must be ordained as a bishop if you are not one already.

Answer 3

Technically no. However, it's been about 180 years since someone who wasn't already a bishop (never mind priest) has been elected Pope.

Answer 4

No, any male Catholic can be chosen as pope. That has not happened in hundreds of years, however.

Answer 5

It certainly helps. The only requirement to be elected pope is that the person must be a male Catholic. However, there has not been a non-cardinal elected to pope in centuries.

Answer 6

No, you only are required to be a male Catholic to be eligible to be pope, although being a cardinal certainly helps.

Answer 7

Yes.