How to Become the Pope

Basic Requirements

• Must be a Catholic
• Must be a man
• While any Catholic man can become Pope, in practice cardinals prefer to elevate one of their own. The last non-cardinal Pope was over 600 years ago.

Pathway to Papacy

Step 1: Become a Priest

• Education Requirements:
  • College degree in Catholic Philosophy
  • Master's in Divinity
• Personal Requirements:
  • Must be a man
  • Must be unmarried
  • Willing to remain celibate forever
• Ordination allows you to run a Catholic Church or work with another priest.

Step 2: Become a Bishop

• Availability:
  • Approx. 5,000 bishops compared to 400,000 priests
• Opportunities:
  • Wait for a bishop to retire at age 75 or die
• Selection Process:
  • Secret list of potential bishops updated every three years
  • Requirements:
    • At least 35 years old
    • Priest for at least five years
    • Doctorate in theology (or equivalent)
  • Selected by the Apostolic Nuncio from the secret list
  • The Nuncio conducts in-depth research and interviews
  • The congress of bishops in Vatican City reviews and approves the candidates
  • Final approval by the Pope

Step 3: Become a Cardinal

• Cardinals are bishops with additional responsibilities
• Only 200 out of 5,000 bishops are cardinals
• Appointed by the Pope

The Papal Election

• Cardinals under 80 are called to Vatican City upon a Pope's death or retirement
• Isolation from the outside world
• Election process:
  • Voting in the Sistine Chapel four times a day
  • 2/3rds majority required to elect a new Pope
  • Ballots are burned after counting; black smoke indicates no decision, white smoke signifies a new Pope
• Tradition dictates choosing a new papal name, usually after a previous Pope

Summary

• To become Pope, be born a Catholic male, become a priest, then bishop, then cardinal
• Wait for the Pope to die or retire and secure 2/3rds support from fellow cardinals to be elected