How do you become Pope? ?

Question

How do you become a pope?

What are the steps?

Do you have to be catholic?

I thank you for you answers!!!

Answer 1

It's an elected position and they keep the process hidden from the public.

Yes, he must be catholic as it's their dogma that created the position of pope in the first place.

Answer 2

A Papal Conclave works like this:

• A pope dies and is buried

• The cardinals come to Rome for the conclave that will elect the new pope. The word conclave (Latin, *** • clavis, literally, "locked with the key") designates:

.     • The place in a locked section of the Vatican where the cardinals under the age of eighty elect a new pope.

.     • The actual gathering of the cardinals.

• The conclave begins 15 to 20 days after the pope's death.

• The cardinals pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit during a Mass

• The cardinals, sealed in the Sistine Chapel, vote every morning and afternoon.

• A two-thirds majority plus one is required for election for the first 30 ballots. After that, a simple majority is required.

• After each vote, they burn the ballots and add special chemicals to make the smoke white or black.

.     • Black smoke means no new pope yet.

.     • White smoke announces the election of a new pope.

• The cardinals may elect any baptized male they wish. There have been occasions in the past where they have elected a layman. After their election, the layman has to be ordained priest and bishop.

• They ask the one elected if he accepts. The moment he accepts, he is pope.

• The pope chooses his “Papal” name.

• Then the new pope is announced to the world.

For more information, see:

http://www.americancatholic.org/features...

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features...

With love in Christ.

Answer 3

Kill the present pope.

Answer 4

I am Jewish. I stand no chance of becomming Pope lol

You have to be a Catholic. You need to become a priest, then work your way up, Bishop, Archbishop, Cardinal etc.

The Pope is then elected in Rome (at the Vatican) by the College of Cardinals. The Pope is a lifelong position and the person holding it keeps it until they die. Upon their death, the Cardinals meet and vote. Eventually a new Pope is elected. They signify to the world that the new Pope has been chosen by issuing white smoke from a Vatican chimney. The new Pope then takes over all matters for the person who proceeded him. The cycle continues and ends only upon death.

As all priests are men and the first step for a Pope is the priesthood, no woman would become Pope (although there are myths about a woman named Pope Joan who masqueraded as a man during the middle ages)

In this way, the Catholic Church contends that all Popes are a direct line (not biological) from Peter (St Peter).

Answer 5

If you would like more answers, consider asking around this site as well...

http://christianforums.com/forumdisplay....

Answer 6

There are no set rules on who may become Pope.  You have to be Catholic.  The Cardinals, the elders of the Catholic church, meet in secret after the pope dies and selects the new one, supposedly guided by the Holy Spirit.  THey usually choose one of their number, but nothing says they have too.  If a non-Cardinal were to be elected Pope, he would first have to be ordained a Bishop or even a Priest.  It is highly unlikely that someone outside the College of Cardinals would ever be elected.    

Answer 7

You have to buy one of those fancy hats and take a drug of some sort.