What do you have to do to become a Pope?

Answer 1

Be a Roman Catholic priest and be voted to the office by a majority of the Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church.

I don't know what island "Island Guy" lives on but I've been Catholic all my life and bishops have never voted for the Pope. Cardinals vote for Popes. Also, while technically it's true that you don't have to be a bishop or a cardinal to be Pope, YOU DO HAVE TO BE A *CATHOLIC* MALE to be eligible for the Papacy. However, very rarely is anyone outside of a Cardinal even considered as a candidate. (Papacy=Office of the Pope, like a Presidency.)

Answer 2

The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church is the Christian Church in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, currently Pope Benedict XVI. It traces its origins to the original Christian community founded by Jesus, with its traditions first established by the Twelve Apostles and maintained through unbroken Apostolic Succession.
The Church traces its institution to Jesus and the Twelve Apostles, in particular Saint Peter, the leader of the Apostles, who is regarded as the first Pope. The first known use of the term "Catholic Church" was in a letter by Ignatius of Antioch in 107, who wrote: "Where the bishop appears, there let the people be, just as where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church."
Central to the doctrines of the Catholic Church is Apostolic Succession, the belief that the bishops are the spiritual successors of the original twelve apostles, through the historically unbroken chain of consecration . The New Testament contains warnings against teachings considered to be only masquerading as Christianity, and shows how reference was made to the leaders of the Church to decide what was true doctrine. The Catholic Church teaches that it is the continuation of those who remained faithful to the apostolic and episcopal leadership and rejected false teachings.

Answer 3

Take vows to become a priest, become a bishop, cardinal, etc. Invaribly become assigned to the vatican. sort of like catholicism's pentagon. Be in the right place at the right time, ie Pope's death, campaign for the position with the other cardinals, make lots of promises and get their vote, Viola, you are the next pope. Takes about 30-50 years.

Answer 4

well you kinda have to go to school and study like religion and stuff then go through the whole process of studying and learning from a priest, become a priest yourself then become and bishop, archbishop and so on then finaly you can be elected to be the pope by cardinals of the clergy something like that.
go here tells you pretty much everything.

http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mpope.html

Answer 5

First, you have to be a Cardinal. Then, when the current Pope dies, the other Cardinals vote, secret ballot style, and choose the new Pope.

Answer 6

get the bishops to vote for you. you don't even have to be a priest, much less a a bishop. did you know that? ANYBODY (men only ☺) can be the pope!! weird, isn't it? but true!

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for the one who gave me thumbs down. do your homework. look it up in the net. it's TRUE you DON'T have to be a priest, in fact, not even a catholic!!! IT'S TRUE!! just look it up!!! (obviously, IF someone like that IS elected pope, he would have to become a catholic and be incardinated (become a cardinal) in the diocese of Rome. btw, a CARDINAL DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A PRIEST either. LOOK IT UP!!!

Gosh, so easy to give thumbs down without thinking....

PEACE!! ☺

Answer 7

Not believe the bible, become a priest, deceive the masses into thinking that you can actually cleanse their sins, get your name on a ballot saying "Who will be the Next 'Christ' on Earth that the Masses will Worship", and there you go.

Answer 8

Be able to fake belief in a supreme being for most of your life - be comfortable with knocking off some of your more stiff competition, and screw as many nuns along the way as possible.

Answer 9

Get elected by the College of Cardinals in conclave.

Answer 10

Nothing, if you are the last catholic on earth, you are automaticly pope.
If not, it is a bit more difficult.
You have to been voted by some old blokes, called, the concile, it is not necessary, that you are one of them, but it is highly appreciated, because, in the last 500 yrs noone else was elected.