What are the steps a priest must take to become the pope?

Answer 1

You need to be a Roman Catholic and in the College of Cardinals. When the pope dies all the Cardinals in the world under the age of 80 meet in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. They are locked in the chapel (the Conclave) and they select the next pope. There is a complex series of ballots, and various times for reflection, prayer and preaching depending on the number of ballots completed. If a ballot does not result in the election of a pope, the ballots are burned with chemicals to insure the smoke is black. This is a signal to the faithful waiting outside that a ballot has been completed and has not resulted in a new pontiff. When a ballot results in an election, (the candidate elect is asked if he accepts, and he may decline, but cardinals will usually make it known before it reaches this point that they do not wish to hold the office) the ballots are burned with chemicals insuring that the smoke is white, signalling that a pope has been chosen. Prior to the 1960's the black smoke was produced by adding wet straw to the ballots, but occasional ambiguities in the color of the smoke (both black and white) necessitated a change. Many protocols are followed to guarantee that no ballot papers are lost or changed. See link for more than you ever wanted to know about the subject.

Answer 2

Their are so many traditions required that you will have to start very young. It isn't something you just decide. You must abstain from sexual intercourse, work your way up through the church ranks (ie: priest, bishop, arch bishop and become a cardinal and join the College of Cardinals), there is no specific age to be Pope but usually 65 is considered young. Then you must be voted in by your fellow Cardinals. In the first 30 votings it has to be a 2/3 majority but after the 30 it only has to be simple majority. Good luck if your trying to be Pope. im sure there are MANY more rules than this though!

Answer 3

A couple of weeks after a pope dies all of the cardinals under the age of 80 from around the world who are able to travel meet in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope. This is referred to as a "conclave", which means that they are locked in until a new pope is elected. The pope will be elected from one of the cardinals present A 2/3 vote is required. Everyone participating is sworn to secrecy and the only communication with the outside world comes in the form of smoke from the chimney. They burn the ballots after each vote, and add chemicals to make the smoke black if a pope has not yet been elected or white to indicate that they have elected a new pope.

Answer 4

It would be an unworthy priest indeed who purposely sought to climb his way through the clergy and secure the papacy. The papacy is the most difficult task that can be given to any man, for the pope's salvation is incumbent upon the entire world's salvation, for he is charged with guiding the Church as well as reaching out to the rest of the world. If he fails to serve the papal office with his whole heart and soul or seeks his own glory and not that of the glory of God, his chances of salvation are dire indeed.

A priest, after having manifested ability and knowledge may be ordained an auxiliary bishop or bishop of a diocese. Usually, through zeal and ability, bishops are then promoted to archbishops or assigned to a specific commission or task. If, as a bishop, the candidate's administrative skills are proved and the zeal for God's glory and Church is evident, Rome may take special interest in observing the bishop or in sending him to a specific area or post in order to develop his skills and deepen his faith. More is usually needed, such as a grasp of several languages, expertise or proficiency in several Church disciplines (theology, philosophy, etc.,) as well as the ability to lead people. If the candidate meets these requirements, he may be promoted to Cardinal if a place becomes vacant. To become pope, a cardinal must be voted in by his fellow cardinals when the see of Peter becomes vacant. Thus, to become pope, the candidate must be seen by his peers as the best man for the job and it must be God's Will he is elected.

Answer 5

1. Before you leave your second level school (in 5th and/or 6th year):

• talk to the relevant person/people about what career you want to do after school. You may be given advice from this person about your chosen career/careers.
• You will also have to apply to the relevant university/universities to learn about your chosen career (ask the relevant person for assistance if you are unsure about this).

2. Complete the Leaving Certificate exams. If you receive a high level of points, you may be able to go into third level to begin your chosen course.

3. If successful, you may go into third level to study your chosen course

(lets say for example you wish to be a priest).

4. You will study Theology and/or Religious Studies for a number of years (for example 6 years).

5. After finishing your course, your next step is to become ordained. You will be ordained by the Bishop in your local parish/diocese (this will be a very special occasion as you will become an official member of the priesthood).

NOTE: You will have to study hard in 5th and 6th year (in order to pass your Leaving Cert exams, and you will also have to study hard while in University).

Answer 6

Well, it helps to be Catholic...

The pope is elected by the electors of the College of Cardinals, consisting of all of the cardinals of the Roman Catholic church under the age of 80 (those over 80 are not permitted to vote). Cardinals are senior officials of the church appointed by the pope; they are (currently) required to be priests as well, though that hasn't always been the case.

In theory, they can elect any unmarried Roman Catholic male as pope (the rules of the conclave explicitly state that the new pope does not have to be a cardinal); however, it's extremelyrare that anyone who isn't already a cardinal is elected (the last time this happened was in the 14th century).

Answer 7

The only requirements to become a pope are:
1.) You must be a Catholic
2.) You must be a male

Practically speaking, however, it is highly unlikely you will even be considered unless you are a cardinal.

Answer 8

I know of no priest who is actively working towards becoming pope. However, he would have to progress through the following steps:
1.) Appointed as a monsignor
2.) Appointed as a bishop
3.) Elevated to archbishop
4.) Chosen as a cardinal
5.) Elected in a papal conclave as the new pope.

Answer 9

Actually, any male Catholic can be named as pope. However, for many centuries the popes have been chosen from the ranks of the cardinals. All started out as simple priests but went on to receive advanced degrees in theology. If the priest is well educated and has a long history of service to the Church, he may be named a bishop or archbishop. If he really stands out he could be named a cardinal by the pope and would then be eligible to take part in papal conclaves that elect new popes and thus be a potential future pope.

Answer 10

A person must first become a priest and then a bishop and then a cardinal. You will also need to be male and then participate in the papal conclave. You will then need to be voted in as pope.