Should the office of Pope be elected by all Catholics rather than an elite minority of male Cardinals?

[Martin T]

This is just the thin end of the wedge. If we let them elect the Pope, next they will want to elect the top people in the Mafia ... That will bring the end of everything we hold sacred!

[username_hidden]

The role of the bishops is to the be the shepherds of Christ's flock, and the role of the Pope is to be the head shepherd.

Bearing that fact in mind, doesn't it make more sense that the head shepherd is chosen by those who are shepherds themselves (and so understand what the role requires) rather than being chosen by the sheep?

[imacatholic2]

It does not matter. Ultimately God selects the Pope.

Just like God inspired human beings to write the documents that would become the Bible and God inspired human beings to choose the correct documents to be included in the Bible, God inspires human beings to properly select the Pope.

God selects a new Pope through a Papal Conclave which 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, cum • clavis, literally, "locked with the key") designates:
. • The place in a locked section of the Vatican where the cardinals under the age of eighty 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.

For more information, see:
http://www.americancatholic.org/features...laveCU.asp
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features...on/CNS.asp

With love in Christ.