How do you decide the Pope?

Question

I'm not very educated in this subject so I'm asking.

The Pope is infallible right? So do you gather the people in the world who have never sinned and put them up for the Pope? Who is the Pope anyway? (I'm just curious. I have some friends who are Catholic and I've heard them talk and stuff.) But I don't believe that he can be without sin. When he was 4 years old, did he really say, "no, I can't steal that cookie, because I'm going to be the Pope some day." If someone with knowledge of this could please answer with some umph, I've just been curious about Catholics lately.

Answer 1

the Pope is the physical head of the Roman Catholic Church. The "Pope" is a title meaning "father", that is given to the Bishop of Rome. The Pope has the final authoritative decision on teachings of faith and morals for Catholics worldwide. The Pope is selected by a group of men, called "Cardinals" under the inspiration of the holy Spirit. The Pope, like all, men is a sinner, but is infallible when teaching the faith and morals, due to the holy spirit's guidance as promised by Christ.

Answer 2

The doctrine of Papal infallibility does not mean the Pope is without sin. The Pope has to go to Confession like any other Catholic.
It means that when the Pope speaks ex cathedra(from the chair of Peter) on matters of faith and morals, in union with the Bishops of the world, he speaks infallibly. I understand this has been done only about 20 times in the past 2100 years.
Therefore it does not mean that every public utterance from the Pope is infallible. However, since he is our head Pastor, Catholics must take whatever the Pope says very seriously.

Answer 3

+ Papal Conclave+

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 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.

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/johnpaulii/transition/PapalConclaveCU.asp
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/JohnPaulII/transition/CNS.asp

+ Papal Infallibility +

The Catholic Church teaches that the Pope is infallible at closely defined times.

The Pope is only infallible when he, in union with the body of bishops, solemnly teaches that a doctrine as true.

This comes from the words of Jesus to Peter (the first Pope) and the Apostles (the first bishops), "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven" (Matthew 18:18) and "He who hears you hears me" (Luke 10:16).

At all other times the Pope can be just as wrong or sinful as you and me and be in need of forgiveness.

http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p4.htm#891
http://www.catholic.com/library/Papal_Infallibility.asp

+ Pope Benedict XVI +

Pope Benedict XVI was born Joseph Alois Ratzinger in 1927 and will turn 80 in 2007.

Pope Benedict XVI was elected pope at the age of 78. He is the oldest person to have been elected pope since Clement XII in 1730.

Along with his native German, Benedict speaks fluent Italian, French, English, Spanish and Latin. He can read ancient Greek and biblical Hebrew.

Benedict plays the piano and has a preference for Mozart and Beethoven.

Pope Benedict XVI is the first pope to own an iPod.

Here is his official Vatican biography: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/biography/documents/hf_ben-xvi_bio_20050419_short-biography_en.html

http://www.usccb.org/comm/popebenedictxvi/benedictfacts.shtml

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 4

Infallible does not mean impeccable. The Pope can and does sin. The Church does not teach otherwise.

>>Who is the Pope anyway?<<

Jesus gave Peter the keys to kingdom, the power to bind and loose, and entrusted him with the care of His flock (Matthew 16:18-19 and John 21:15-17). We know the Apostles had successors from Acts 1:15-26. The Pope is the successor of Peter.

Answer 5

Only the cardinals elect him, not the whole church. How they decide? I'm not sure on the "official" version, but I've heard (and can quite imagine) that politics plays a role, too.

Answer 6

The Bishops and Cardinals have an election, every one has sinned, dosen't matter who they are

Answer 7

You don't decide. A bunch of old cardinals in Rome do it. Did you know the first pope was married? Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law, and he was the first pope, so how come priests can't be married?