Kara Sears
Canon law outlines the requirements for eligibility to be elected pope. According to the 1983 Code, a baptised Catholic male who is a bishop and accepts a legitimate papal election becomes pope immediately. If the elected candidate is not a bishop, he must be consecrated as one before assuming office. The pope-elect must also be capable of accepting the election and exercising the jurisdiction attached to the position. While there are no explicit eligibility requirements in the canon law code, papal election regulations and the teachings of the Church exclude women from being elected pope.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Marital status | Married or unmarried |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Age | Above 7 |
| Willingness | To be baptised, ordained deacon, priest, and bishop |
| Reasoning ability | To accept election and, if necessary, holy orders |
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What You'll Learn
Only a baptised male can be elected pope
Canon Law states that a pope must be a baptised male. However, this is not a strict requirement as baptism can be performed quickly if an unbaptised person is elected pope. Canon 332 § 1 of the 1983 Code states that a bishop who accepts a legitimate papal election becomes pope immediately. If the elected pope is not a bishop, he must be consecrated as one after accepting the election. Therefore, the eligibility requirements are that anyone who is a bishop or can be consecrated as a bishop can be elected pope.
The pope is also described as the "Bishop of the Church of Rome" and "Head of the College of Bishops". It is extremely unlikely that anyone but a bishop, and then one who is a member of the College of Cardinals, would be elected pope, given the far-ranging sacred and human experience needed, as well as being known to the members of the College for these qualities.
The pope must also be male, as canon law states that only a baptised male can receive sacred ordination validly. The ecclesiastical legislator does not seem to have a great need for clarification on the question of eligibility, as there are no explicit eligibility requirements in canon law. However, the pope must be in the communion of the church, meaning that he must be a Catholic and therefore baptised.
In ancient times, married men were often elected to become bishops, but then "ceased living as married men". A married man could technically still be elected pope, but it is unlikely.
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A pope must be a cardinal
While canon law does not explicitly state that only a cardinal can be elected pope, it has been over 500 years since a non-cardinal was elected. Canon 332 § 1 of the 1983 Code states that a bishop who accepts a legitimate papal election becomes pope immediately. If the elected individual is not a bishop, they must be immediately consecrated as one. This implies that a pope must be male, baptised, and ordained as a deacon, priest, and bishop.
In ancient times, married men were often elected to become bishops, but they ceased to live as married men. While a married man could technically be elected pope, it is unlikely. In practice, only a bishop who is a member of the College of Cardinals will be elected pope, given the far-ranging sacred and human experience needed, as well as being known to the members of the College for these qualities.
The pope is described as the "Bishop of the Church of Rome" and "Head of the College of Bishops". When a pope dies or resigns, the governance of the Catholic Church passes to the College of Cardinals, who hold a series of meetings called general congregations to discuss the needs and challenges facing the Church. They also prepare for the upcoming papal election, or conclave. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in a conclave. They take an oath of absolute secrecy before sealing the doors and voting by secret ballot.
The election of a pope must be accepted, and the person elected must be able to make legally binding declarations of will. According to canon law, anyone under the age of seven cannot do so, while anyone over the age of 18 can do so without restriction, provided they are not "permanently deprived of the use of reason".
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A pope must be a bishop
Canon 332 § 1 of the 1983 Code states that a bishop who accepts a legitimate papal election becomes pope immediately. If the elected individual is not a bishop, they must be immediately consecrated as one before assuming office. This is in line with the description of the Pope as the "'Bishop of the Church of Rome' and 'Head of the College of Bishops'.
While it is possible for a non-bishop to become Pope, it is extremely unlikely that a layman, deacon, or priest will be elected. This is because of the extensive sacred and human experience needed to become Pope, as well as the requirement to be known to the members of the
In the past, there have been several non-bishops elected to the papacy. For example, in 882, Pope Marinus I, the bishop of Caere, was elected. However, it has been over 500 years since a non-cardinal was elected Pope.
To be eligible for election, an individual must be a baptised male Catholic, capable of accepting the election, and exercising the jurisdiction attached to the office. While there is no explicit requirement for the pope-elect to accept their canonical election, they must be able to make legally binding declarations of will.
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A married man can be elected pope
Canon Law states that any baptised male Catholic is eligible to become pope, regardless of whether he is a layman or a member of the clergy. However, it is extremely unlikely that a layman would be elected pope, as the position usually goes to a bishop and a member of the College of Cardinals.
While there is no specific Canon Law preventing a married man from becoming pope, clerical celibacy is a long-standing tradition in the Catholic Church. Since 1075, celibacy has been required of Roman Catholic priests, though some Catholic churches in the East have continued to allow priests to marry before their ordination.
Some popes have been married before becoming pope, but they were widowed before entering the clergy. Pope John XVII, elected in 1003, was the last pope to be married and hold the position at the same time.
In theory, if a married man were elected pope, he and his wife would be accommodated, but there would be a problem with receiving orders unless dispensation was previously given.
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A pope must be in the communion of the church
Canon Law states that to be elected pope, a person must be in the communion of the Church. This means that the pope must be a Catholic, and therefore baptised. The pope must also not be subject to the penalties of excommunication or interdict and must not be persisting in serious sin. This is because, according to canon law, only Catholics can be elected pope, excluding non-Catholics, former Catholics, and public and manifest heretics.
In addition, the pope must be a baptised male who is capable of accepting the election and exercising the jurisdiction attached to the office. The pope must also be able to make legally binding declarations of will. According to canon law, anyone under the age of seven cannot do so, while anyone over the age of 18 can do so without restriction, provided they are not "permanently deprived of the use of reason".
While it is not a requirement, it is highly unlikely that anyone but a bishop, and specifically, a member of the College of Cardinals, would be elected pope, given the far-ranging sacred and human experience needed, as well as being known to the members of the College for these qualities.
The pope must also be willing to be ordained deacon, priest, and bishop, and to accept election and, if necessary, holy orders. If the pope-elect is not already a bishop, he must be consecrated as one before assuming office.
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Frequently asked questions
According to Canon 332 § 1 of the 1983 Code, a baptised Catholic male who is a bishop or can be consecrated as a bishop can be elected pope.
No, it is not necessary for the person elected as pope to be a cardinal. However, it has been over 500 years since a non-cardinal was elected pope.
No, a married man can be elected pope. However, upon ordination, he would have to cease living as a married man.
If the person elected pope is not a bishop, they must be consecrated as one before assuming office.
