The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church. In theory, the only requirements to become one are to be male and Catholic, which greatly expands the list of possible candidates, but for many centuries every Pope has been a cardinal elected in the conclave by the other cardinals. For this reason, if you want to become Pope, you must first become a priest and strive to climb the clerical hierarchy until you are chosen by your brothers. Remember that the first indispensable requirement is the Catholic faith, it is in fact a question that has to do with a vocation and not with a job.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Becoming a Priest
Step 1. Become a Catholic
To be Pope, you must be male and of Catholic faith. If you were not born into a Catholic family, you will have to convert. This process is called the Christian Initiation Rite.
- This is a time-consuming procedure. You will need to learn the precepts of the Catholic faith and how the Church is structured. In other words, you have to follow the catechism.
- You will also need to receive baptism, which marks the end of the education process.
- Conversion to Catholicism is a process of faith exploration that takes place under the guidance of a mentor. Contact your local church to get started.
Step 2. Consider the vocation
The priesthood is not just a job but a way of life. Be aware of all the expected implications: Catholic priests cannot marry or have sexual relations.
- Give yourself plenty of time to evaluate this desire. Consider your qualities. Are you a compassionate individual? Is your faith steadfast? Are you happy with this vocation of yours? Remember that these are all important characteristics for a priest.
- Ask for advice. Talk to the priest in your parish and ask him for more details about his experience. Ask him specific questions, for example about a priest's duties. Afterward, take time to reflect on the path you feel you need to take, whether or not it is the path of the priesthood.
Step 3. Take on a leadership role
As you become a grown man, you can actively weigh whether a career as a spiritual guide is right for you. There are many dioceses all over the world that offer growth programs of this type for young Catholics. Ask the priest in your parish if you can follow one. Typically, courses are taught to develop leadership skills and spiritual growth. Also, during this time of formation you can strengthen faith and better understand your vocation.
- If you attend one of these leadership programs, you can better understand the skills and competencies needed to become an ecclesiastical authority and make a career within the Catholic hierarchy.
- If your parish doesn't have these courses, then sign up for a seminar in another city or region.
Step 4. Follow a school path
You need a specific school education to become a priest. First, finish high school; your path to the priesthood starts right here. You should enroll in a school that allows you to study a foreign language, for example. The Pope is an international figure, so communication skills are indispensable if your goal is to hold that office.
Talk to the school psychologist. In most high schools there is a school counselor who helps you to consider your plans after graduation. Ask him to help you find the most suitable major seminaries and theology courses so that you can advance in the ecclesiastical career
Step 5. Keep studying
You will need to attend traditional university or a major seminary to become a priest. To be admitted to the major seminary, you must have completed a high school diploma or studied in a minor seminary. Throughout Italy there are many seminaries, some diocesan, others interdiocesan or regional, while still others are religious. Remember that not all seminars award state-recognized degrees.
- Some young men study at a regular university before deciding to become priests. After graduation, they often enroll in a postgraduate preparation course.
- These postgraduate courses are taught in theology schools associated with the university.
Step 6. Choose the correct university path
Your spiritual journey is important, so the institution you choose to hone the skills necessary for your ecclesiastical vocation and career becomes a key detail. Consider different schools, ask yourself if you prefer a complete spiritual education or if you just want to focus on studying Catholic doctrine thoroughly. Before making your final decision, go and visit the school in person.
- Talk to students attending the institution of your interest and ask them for more details about the experience they are having.
- Consider what particular program will help you grow both spiritually and intellectually.
Part 2 of 3: Advance Your Career
Step 1. Become an effective priest
At this point, you must do everything to excel in your work, because it is the path that will allow you to earn promotions in the church hierarchy. A good priest is a reliable person who helps members of his parish and community.
- As a priest, you are responsible for the spiritual well-being of your congregation. You will need to administer the sacraments, celebrate mass and hear confessions.
- An exemplary priest obtains the appointment of "monsignor".
Step 2. Hone your relationship skills with people
After you become a priest, every promotion you receive will be by appointment. This means that you need to make a good impression on people who rank higher than you in the church hierarchy. Strive to create and maintain good relationships with other people in your environment.
- Be a good communicator. You need to feel comfortable giving speeches in front of the crowd. You will need to be able to do this as a priest already, but it will become increasingly important as you advance in the clergy career. When you speak, be clear and confident.
- Collaborate with others. As a bishop or cardinal, you need to be able to manage other priests. Learn to listen to the needs of others and communicate instructions clearly and directly.
Step 3. Become a bishop
This figure is in practice the "chief priest" of a diocese. The diocese is a territory or a region whose parishes fall under the authority of the bishop. An archbishop, on the other hand, controls his own diocese and oversees the other bishops. The Pope takes responsibility for the choice of all bishops, so you will need to make a good impression on his advisers.
- Be sure to communicate regularly with the archbishop of your region. He will be able to recommend you positively when asked for his opinion on your work.
- The bishops meet for regular meetings in which they establish the liturgical rules and standards of their region.
- The Pope appoints the bishops, but entrusts himself to the council of bishops in office.
- Remember that you cannot officially apply for the role of bishop, but you must be nominated.
- In this process, the Pope's chief adviser is the Apostolic Nuncio. He represents the Pope before the government and the clergy of the various states.
Step 4. Become a cardinal
This figure is chosen by the Pope from among the bishops and receives a special appointment. The Pope also chooses the archbishops from among the cardinals of specific regions; however, not all regions have one.
- Generally, the Pope appoints the bishop of an important diocese as cardinal.
- Try to live in a region where the figure of the cardinal is present. You won't have much chance of becoming one yourself if you come from a small rural location.
- When you are a bishop, maintain excellent relations with the cardinal in your area. Make it clear that you are eager to serve the church, demonstrate your administrative skills and abilities.
- Cardinals are active members of the administration of the Catholic Church.
- There is no formal application or selection process to become a cardinal, you will have to be appointed by the Pope.
Part 3 of 3: Being Elected Pope
Step 1. Prepare for the appointment
Since the Pope is only elected every few decades, it is important to be prepared. Be sure to maintain good contacts and relationships with the members of the College of Cardinals. By now, you should have built a good professional reputation. As the conclave approaches, keep working to show that you could have a positive impact in a public role.
- In the days following the Pope's funeral, the cardinals meet to prepare the conclave. This is the moment when it is "politics". Try to determine who will vote for you.
- Make it clear to your confreres that you are willing to accept the appointment.
Step 2. Understand the rules of the conclave
This is the official process of appointing the Pope. The cardinal electors who are part of the College of Cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel to choose the new Pope. No one else has access to the meeting, in fact the term "conclave", in Latin, literally means " locked".
- Generally, the conclave meets on the Pope's death, since it is very rare for the head of the Catholic Church to resign.
- The cardinals meet 15-20 days after the Pope's death to attend the secret ballot.
- Only cardinals can access the Sistine Chapel; only a few exceptions are allowed, for example if medical intervention is required.
- Each cardinal must take a solemn oath to respect the rules of the conclave, as it was written by Pope John Paul II.
- After the first day of the conclave, two votes are to be held every morning and two every afternoon.
Step 3. Get the most votes
It is not considered appropriate to "campaign" to become Pope. However, being a well-known and respected cardinal is a trait of a few. Usually, there is only a small number of candidates who are considered at the conclave; the cardinal who obtains the highest number of votes is elected the new Pope.
- There are three stages in the current voting process: the pre-ballot, during which the vote is prepared; the ballot (votes are collected and counted); the post-ballot, when the votes are checked again and then burned.
- The conclave can last several days, but typically no more than two weeks.
- To be elected Pope, a cardinal must obtain 2/3 of the votes. After each vote, the papers are burned. If black smoke comes out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, another vote is required. The white smoke indicates that the new Pope has been elected.
Step 4. Fulfill your duties
The Pope is the spiritual leader of the Catholic people around the world. There are currently 1.2 billion individuals of the Catholic faith. Furthermore, the Pope is the highest authority in the smallest sovereign state in the world, the Vatican.
- He presides over the weekly blessing for people who go to the Vatican; it also grants a weekly general audience.
- It must attend all the most important religious celebrations, such as Christmas and Easter.
- Modern popes travel around the world to meet the faithful and heads of government.
Advice
- Learn the largest number of foreign languages. As Pope you must be able to communicate in Italian and English, but if you know other languages it will be possible for you to reach all the faithful around the world.
- Get noticed, but try not to be objectionable. Your fellow cardinals will be more likely to elect you as Pope if you make yourself known for good works and a charitable attitude, rather than for your unpopular declarations and tendency to provoke people.
