Question for Catholics About the Pope

Updated on May 09, 2013
R.M. asks from Silver Spring, MD
14 answers

So I was thinking about religion and religious leaders and it led me to think about the pope. This is my go to place to gather info so here I am!

Why is the age requirement to eligible to become the pope so high? I know with age comes maturity and wisdom, but at some point age leads to mental and health decline. I am wiser now than when in my twenties and know I have a lot more to learn. My grandfather is 85 and although in very good health for his age, I definetly see a change in him. His judgement is not what it use to be.

Is there a particular reason why? Would you prefer a pope that is younger? Perhaps in their 60's? What age do you feel is too old, if ever? Obviously I'm not catholic, so is the pope more of an institution than true leader of the church? Meaning is there still a pope b/c of tradition more than anything else?

A person who has true faith, regardless of age, will maintain that faith but they don't always retain the ability to lead others; IMO. I wouldn't want an 80 yr old person to be my child's school teacher, not b/c they were never smart but b/c it becomes a point where they are too old to do it. I may be oversimplifying it when it comes to the pope, maybe not.

TIA for all your responses.

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So What Happened?

Sorry if I offended you or anyone else that wasn't my intention. I had misinformation, it happens. Simply telling me that there isn't a age requirement would suffice. I read an article, apparently an incorrect one and was wondering why. I already stated that I wasn't Catholic and just wanted to know.

Should this post offend others, please let me know and I can delete it so they can pull it. I don't regret asking it, now I know there isn't such a requirement. To me and for me asking questions is how one learns, had I not asked I would believe what the article said is true, now I know its not.

I think about every question I ask, here and other places, as well as my responses to questions. Insults etc, NEVER solve anything. Nor does it help people understand something they didn't before.

@ Thea, yes that helps a lot. Thank you.

Thank you for all the subsequent responses. I will not delete it. I really only received one, what I feel to be a rude comment, all the rest very helpful. I just wasn't sure at first if they were all going to be like that and had no desire to start anything!

More Answers

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T.S.

answers from Washington DC on

There is no age requirement to become pope. The Cardinals at the conclave choose the Pope. Truthfully, though, (not to correct pp) even being a Cardinal is not a REQUIREMENT. Any confirmed, Catholic man CAN be elected Pope. The tradition, however, is that he is chosen form the Cardinals themselves (for lots of reasons including the fact that it's unlikely that enough of them would KNOW enough about another rman). The Pope is typically older by virtue of the fact that Cardinals are older because they've been in the priesthood for quite some time before reaching that designation.

Another reason for the age of Popes is that the papacy is a lifetime position. Unless the Pope steps down (as happened recently, but almost never happens) you can't get a new Pope until the Pope dies... so (not to be morbid but) an older Pope allows for a new choice for frequently.

That being said, I'm much more interested in the Pope's view of the Church, and doctrine in the world than I am about the age of the man himself.

HTH
T.

14 moms found this helpful

J.S.

answers from Hartford on

It's believed that Pope Benedict IX was between 11 years old and 20 years old when he was ELECTED and then went on to reign (in the year 1012).

Then there was Pope John XII who was 18 years old when he was elected and then went on to reign (in the year 937 or so).

Since 1400 the youngest pope has been 37 years old... Leo X in the early 1500's.

If you take what's believed to be the ages of all 63 popes when they were elected, the AVERAGE age has been about 62/63 years old when they were first elected.

There's a lot of discussion and debate about the youngest a pope can be when elected now... there's no hard and fast rule but I would briefly hesitate to guess a theoretical age minimum of 40 years old.

The fact is that a pope does need to theoretically be a cardinal first and it can take time for them to achieve that level in the hierarchy. He would have to be a cardinal since 2/3 of 120 cardinals vote him in.

Plus, the cardinals no longer elect laymen as popes (like Pope Benedict IX), and they no longer pass along the papacy down family lines (as was done with Pope John XI, the uncle of Pope John XII, ensuring on his deathbed that his nephew would get the papacy upon his death), both reducing the likelihood of a pope in his teens or twenties.

I could go on and on, but there are a lot of reasons why I think the youngest electable would be 40 or so at this point.

P.S. I'm Catholic and not offended at all because this isn't an offensive question. When you're curious and you don't know the answers, especially if you have some assumptions you want to clarify, the best way to find out is to ask questions. And you did.

Not all Catholics are holier than thou, and most of us don't feel persecuted every time someone asks questions.

11 moms found this helpful
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R.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Wow!! I always wondered the same thing so I don't think it is a stupid question at all. Thanks to all the non-cranky responses.

9 moms found this helpful
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B.B.

answers from Missoula on

Nothing wrong with sincerely asking questions and seeking information. Your post is not offensive.

Certain firey root vegetables need to relax, ya know?

8 moms found this helpful
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D..

answers from Miami on

Don't pull your question, R.. You're asking from the point of view of a non-Catholic. You will not understand the feelings that Catholics have concerning the Pope, the richness of the Catholic culture and centuries of tradition, BECAUSE you aren't Catholic (or perhaps because you aren't a student of history.)

You've gotten some good answers here. You didn't mean to offend.

7 moms found this helpful
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G.♣.

answers from Springfield on

Yep, no age requirement. Yet another clarification, though. Both Thea and Flaming Turnip are incorrect about the requirements to be pope. There are only two:

1. Male
2. Free to become a priest (if not already a priest) - In other words, not married.

The person does not even have to be baptized. He just has to be free to be baptized and ordained.

But I'd have to do some research to find the last time the man elected pope wasn't already a cardinal.

7 moms found this helpful

P.W.

answers from Dallas on

R.,

I am not Catholic. But I would like to say....

Age is relative. Forget the Pope. I am talking about your thoughts on not wanting an 80 yr old person to be your child's teacher. I am sure you are right it would be difficult to keep up with children, however there are many 80 year olds that have much to contribute. My father volunteered full-time until he was 92 years old. He taught a lot of people a lot of things that possibly a younger person would not be able to contribute. His stories were a living history.

When I was young older people kinda creeped me out LOL! But..... as I have aged I have learned they are treasures of knowledge. You may be oversimplifying. This is truly not simple!

7 moms found this helpful
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K.S.

answers from Denver on

You got some really well thought out and insightful answers. Really just one jerky one- don't let it bug you or keep you from posting. Responses like that make me crabby! :-) If I hadn't liked your post, I just wouldn't answer, sheesh.

I really didn't know the answer to this either, so it was interesting to read the different perspectives! Some smart mamas on here!

6 moms found this helpful
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M.L.

answers from Cleveland on

interesting question as a non catholic I assumed as you did, I"m also curious as you mentioned how much rule the actual pope has or are there checks and balances and others behind the scenes that do most of the duties making him more of a figure head that and active decision maker.

What a total jerk your first responder was. But she won't be recruting many to "her" faith that way.

6 moms found this helpful
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C.C.

answers from Orlando on

Catholic and not offended. That is what this board is for. To ask questions and learn from each other. Some people just like to take out their frustrations on this board. I will make sure I thoroughly reasearch a question before I ask a question here....mainly beacuse everything on the internet is true...

4 moms found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from Miami on

You have to keep in mind that while the Pope is a religious leader, he is also the sovereign of a country. Having said that, we could ask the same question of our Presidential requirements. Technically speaking, the Pope does not "have to be" a Cardinal, nor does the President "have to be a political leader", but it's certainly the trend!

There is no age requirement, but there is definitely an expectation of having worked to earn the responsibility. I'm sure if there was a 30 year old Cardinal with demonstrated leadership and responsibility, he would be considered. Also keep in mind that like other monarchs, the Pope is entitled to the office until death. Today, that could be a long long time...

No offense taken because none was clearly intended.

3 moms found this helpful

B.K.

answers from Chicago on

I love how Catholics can be so nasty about a simple question. Maybe THEY should think about what they say before they say it, lest it reflect badly on their religion.

(And that's why I rarely ask questions on here. You can get blasted for even simple, honest ones.)

It isn't offensive at all! I've often wondered myself why only old men get to be the pope. And all the pomp and circumstance is so weird to me. I am a Christian and I have my own relationship with God. I don't need some old guy to be the middle-man.

2 moms found this helpful
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R.K.

answers from Boston on

Thanks for your thoughtful question. Sorry for any responses that are using your question to cause hurt. Peace.

D.S.

answers from Norfolk on

Hi, R.:

Your question is a good one. Maybe no one ever considered that question before. It gives food for thought and for a conversation.
Personally, I really don't care how old a person is to perform a duty. People who don't think they are capable to do a good job, won't step up to the plate to do it.

The law in the united States protects all ages from being discriminated against.

The question for me to ask you, Why do you question the age? How many older adults have you seen doing work that you are pleased with?

I've always heard that there is never a dumb question!

Good luck.
D.

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