Roman Catholics: Why are some Popes considered "Saints" and others are Not?

Answer 1

Some Popes have been canonized and some have not.

Saints are people in heaven or on their way to heaven. All Christians dead and alive are saints.

The Catholic Church selects some of the most extraordinary examples, does in-depth research, and canonizes them.

"By canonizing some of the faithful, i.e., by solemnly proclaiming that they practiced heroic virtue and lived in fidelity to God's grace, the Church recognizes the power of the Spirit of holiness within her and sustains the hope of believers by proposing the saints to them as models and intercessors."

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 828: http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p3.htm#828

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

A person goes through a very rigid process to become a saint. Simply: A Vatican committee investigates your life thouroughly to see if you have lived your faith in an exemplary fashion. There needs to be solid evidence of miracles also. After you pass the first set of criteria, you are " beautified" and earn the title of "blessed". There is further criteria to be met and further investigation. If you pass that part of the process, you are canonized a saint. The Catholic Church is very careful about who becomes a saint. They generally wait five years after someone dies before starting the process to make sure that the emotionalism and grief following a person's death is not a factor.

Some popes have not been able to meet all criteria, therefore, do not become saints.

Right now the church is considering two famous catholics for sainthood, Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa. Personally, I think Teresa was a saint whether she becomes an official one or not.

Answer 3

There are several requirements that one has to meet in order to become a saint. People have to have witnessed miracles performed by the person, there has to be research into their lives and hearings etc etc Some popes made the cut and others didn't. You don't even have to be pope to be considered a saint.

Some popes just weren't as holy as others either. Pope Alexander VI I believe, also known as the Borgia pope, was as unholy as they come. He had drinking parties, orgies, bastard children etc etc. He was engaged in very "unpopish" things as my history teacher likes to say. On the other hand, the late John Paul II (who should be a saint) lived a very holy life, and was a great example not only for Catholics, but for Christians in general.

I hope this helps - I'm not Catholic, this is what I've learned from my dad, who is. Any authentic Catholic is free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Answer 4

Clearly, becoming pope doesn't guarantee one becomes a saint.

Some popes did a better job than others. Those who were martyred, or were particularly spectacular pontiffs are canonized as saints.

Also, the Canonization process takes years, sometimes even centuries. The fact a given pope is not considered a saint today doesn't mean they may not be canonized a saint at some point in the future.
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Answer 5

The Catholic cannonization process is generally long and complex. Some popes haven't even been dead long enough to be considered yet. Others might not have met the requirements yet, which includes having at least 2 miracles attributed to the person after their death.

Just because you were a really good Catholic or important person in life doesn't necessarily mean you'll be a saint one day... it's usually a long drawn-out process with certain criteria that must be met.

Answer 6

The Pope is chosen by God to lead His Church here on earth. But we must always remember that a Pope is just a human and not God.
The chair of St. Peter doesnt make them perfect. We have lots of Popes who are saints but we have also Popes who, because of their vices, they commited sins (although this is against the teachings of Christ). They may have the wisdom of the faith but because of their weakness, they fail against the apple of temptation.
One example of the Popes who is not a saint was Alexander VI, who led the Church from 1492-1503, was known for his vice and immorality.
But remember when you read the lis of Popes who are not considered saints, that doesnt mean that they are bad. There are just Popes who are great and holy whom the Church honors because of their greatness and made them saints.
One of the modern Popes whom the entire world have known was the late Pope John Paul II. He was known for his greatness and wisdom. He will someday become a saint, we are the witnesses of his life and works.

Answer 7

Some Popes did not rule long enough to do the things that would be worthy of Sainthood. Other Popes were real zeros when it came to Religious practice or even worse. In the Middle Ages, it was not unusual for Popes to have mistresses. Third, it isn't as easy to become a Saint as it used to be.

Answer 8

For the same reason that not everyone is cannonized. In order to be considered for sainthood, the Pope or anyone else must have lived a life of unusual sanctity and grace. Their lives were a reflection of God's mercy and love.

For example, Pope John Paul II is a candidate for sainthood because he was a great man of prayer and showed God's love to all those around him. He worked hard for the cause of world peace, and he was a model of Christian virtues. Through his intercession in Heaven, a number of miraculous cures have already taken place.

And let's face it, there have been bad popes and mediocre popes -- people whose lives ranged from so-so to bad. There is no reason to consider them as candidates for sainthood since they failed to meet the criteria for holiness during their lives.

Answer 9

to be consecrated as a saint, there have to be "miracles" and certain other aspects reported and verified as happening around the person. If a Pope merely managed the Church (or worse) then he does not qualify for sainthood.

Answer 10

In order to be classified a saint, you have to be able to prove you performed a miracle. Since only some popes have performed miracles, only some are saints.