Who Can Be Elected Pope?

As the Church mourns the passing of Pope Francis, attention will soon begin to turn toward what comes next: the conclave, where the 267th successor of St. Peter will be elected. On The Patrick Madrid Show, Patrick walked listeners through an important question: Who is eligible to be elected Pope?

According to Canon Law (Canon 332 §1), Madrid explained, any baptized Catholic male is eligible for election, not just cardinals. In theory, the next pope could be a parish priest, a monk, or even a layman, so long as he is baptized and male. However, Madrid was quick to clarify that while this is theologically possible, it’s highly unlikely in practice.

To be validly elected, a man must freely accept the role. If he declines, the election is void, and voting continues. If he accepts and he is not already a bishop, he must be ordained immediately upon accepting, since the papacy is intrinsically tied to the office of the Bishop of Rome.

Patrick Madrid also addressed common misconceptions, like whether an excommunicated or lapsed Catholic could be elected. Technically, if the candidate is baptized, yes, they could be elected; however, in reality, someone outside the Church’s communion would not be considered.

While popes like Celestine V (a hermit) and Urban VI (a bishop but not a cardinal) are historical examples of non-cardinals being chosen, today’s process is more streamlined. Practically speaking, Madrid said, the next pope will come from among the College of Cardinals, and more specifically, from those under the age of 80—the ones eligible to vote.

Madrid reminded listeners that Pope Francis himself was 76 at the time of his election, once considered a “caretaker pope,” yet his pontificate lasted over a decade.

As the Church now prepares for nine days of mourning and a state funeral set to take place on Saturday, April 26th, the next phase will soon follow. The conclave will convene, the Sistine Chapel will be sealed, and the world will wait again for white smoke—and the Holy Spirit’s choice for the next Vicar of Christ.

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At this pivotal moment in our Church history, don’t just observe the conclave – understand it, experience it, and pray through it with Relevant Radio at Conclave2025.com.