And I've done research, the pope does not have to be a priest. He doesn't even have to be catholic when they vote him in. He just has to convert soon after. What's up with that?
2007-09-04 06:25:25 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
For the same reason that there were no women among the twelve disciples.
In Christ
Fr. Joseph
2007-09-04 06:40:22 · answer #1 · answered by cristoiglesia 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋
The Pope doesn't have to be a priest, but he does have to be elected by a bunch of Roman Catholic Cardinals, old men who are all priests, bishops, monsignors, etc.
That's why a nun will not become Pope.
2007-09-04 06:45:12 · answer #2 · answered by Hoosier Daddy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My research found the requirements to be a bit different.
Any baptized male Catholic can be elected Pope. Although the chances of a non-cardinal being elected is very small.
If the person elected is not yet a bishop, then he is ordained a bishop before accepting the office of the Papacy.
With love in Christ.
2007-09-04 16:39:39 · answer #3 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Pope has to be a man. Jesus' Apostles were all men and the first Pope was one of those Apostles - Peter. The Catholic Church carries on this tradition by ordaining only men and the Pope is a man.
2007-09-04 08:16:26 · answer #4 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because until the Catholics change the rules, the pope must be male.
2007-09-04 06:39:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm when the RC church finally gets comfortable with female leadership, we'd have long invented space travel to other parts of the universe.
I think if that sect is to survive, they had better do it. Less and less people are volunteering to become priests and nuns anyway because it is so restrictive.
2007-09-04 06:46:20 · answer #6 · answered by pixie_pagan 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋