How can people become the pope?

Answer 1

The papacy is a jurisdictional office that grants the elected bishop the ability to govern the universal Church. As such, any male can technically be elected pope. It has sometimes happened that popes were elected before they even had proper orders, and so they had to receive these orders prior to their formally taking office. Over the centuries the Church has put in place ecclesiastical laws that prevent the above from happening, and that a pope be selected by ballot from among the college of cardinals, all of whom can cast one vote. Thus, these days, to become pope would involve being ordained a priest, then a bishop, then appointed a cardinal and perhaps, depending on your holiness, skills and politics, a pope.

Many people assume the pope is selected for his holiness. While this is indeed a desired quality, it is not true. The pope is selected for his administration skills above all, with holiness needed in order to keep him true. Holiness without skill is unable to lead, while these skills without holiness are liable to fall into error.

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