Who is qualified for the papacy? How does a papal election work? Here’s the answer to everything you need to know about what it takes to become pope!
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Haveyoueverwonderedwhatittakestobecomethepope?
ThepopeisthespiritualleaderofmorethanonebillionCatholicsworldwide.It’soneofthemostpowerfulandinfluentialrolesonearth.
Butwhataretheofficialrequirements?It’ssurprisinglysimple,butit’salongandchallengingpath.
Here’swhatyoushouldknowabouthowtobecomethepope:YoumustbeabaptizedCatholicmanofsoundmindandwillingtoaccepttherole.
Technically,CanonLawdoesnotrequirethePopetobeapriest,bishop,orevenacardinal.However,youmustbecomeabishoponceelectedPope(ifyouarenotalreadyone).
What’stheUsualPathtothePapalOffice?AnybaptizedCatholicmancanbechosen.However,thecardinalstypicallychooseoneoftheirown.Thelasttimealaymanwaselectedpopewasover500yearsago.
Here’sthetypicaljourneytothePapacy:BecomeaPriest:Yearsofdiscernmentandstudyarerequiredbeforepriestlyordination.Usually,onceayoungbaptizedCatholicmanbecomesaseminaria
