Have you ever wondered what it takes to become the pope?
The pope is the spiritual leader of more than one billion Catholics worldwide. It’s one of the most powerful and influential roles on earth.
But what are the official requirements? It’s surprisingly simple, but it’s a long and challenging path.
Here’s what you should know about how to become the pope:
You must be a baptized Catholic man of sound mind and willing to accept the role.
Technically, Canon Law does not require the Pope to be a priest, bishop, or even a cardinal. However, you must become a bishop once elected Pope (if you are not already one).
What’s the Usual Path to the Papal Office?
Any baptized Catholic man can be chosen. However, the cardinals typically choose one of their own. The last time a layman was elected pope was over 500 years ago.
Here’s the typical journey to the Papacy:
Become a Priest: Years of discernment and study are required before priestly ordination. Usually, once a young baptized Catholic man becomes a seminarian, he studies for his bachelor’s degree in philosophy or theology, and then a master’s in divinity, and becomes a permanent deacon for one year. You must also be unmarried and take a vow of celibacy.
Become a Bishop: After serving as a priest, the pope might appoint you as a bishop. You must be at least 35 years old and have been a priest for at least five years. You must also be an expert in Sacred Scripture, Theology, or Canon Law.
Become a Cardinal: Cardinals are senior church leaders whom the pope appoints. There are 232 cardinals worldwide, 135 of whom will choose the next pope.
Be Elected by the Cardinals: When a pope retires or dies, the cardinals under the age of 80 gather in Rome at the Sistine Chapel for a conclave, which is a secret meeting to elect the next pope. They vote until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority. This can take days.
How Does the Papal Election Work?
Several days before the conclave, the cardinals gather at Saint Peter’s Basilica for an opening Mass to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in electing a new pope.
Once the conclave begins, “the cardinal electors process to the Sistine Chapel and take an oath of absolute secrecy before sealing the doors.” The cardinals then write their chosen candidate’s name on a secret ballot and place it in an urn.
The candidate needs two-thirds of the votes to become pope. If a candidate does not reach two-thirds, the cardinals keep voting. They sometimes vote up to four times per day until someone is elected.
After each voting session, the ballots are burned and placed in a stove inside the Sistine Chapel. Black smoke from the chimney means no decision; white smoke means they chose a new pope.
Once elected, the new pope makes his first appearance on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica and announces his papal name.
Could a Lay Catholic Become Pope?
Yes. But traditionally, the cardinals choose a fellow cardinal with years of experience in Church leadership. It’s been more than 500 years since a non-cardinal became pope.
The Papal Election is Not a Democratic One
Becoming pope is not a democratic process. You cannot campaign or apply for it like a job. It’s a secret election and hierarchical process.
The papacy also typically requires someone with good health and a reputation for holiness and profound leadership.
Final fun fact: After a conclave chooses the new pope, he chooses a new name. He can choose a name he likes, but many times, the new pope chooses the previous pope’s name. It’s a sign of respect for tradition.