A Pope Of Chance
A dove changed world history when it landed on a man’s head after Pope Anteros died in 236 A.D. That man was Fabian, one of many bystanders who had traveled to Rome to grieve the pope’s death. Although he was not even a candidate for the papacy, Fabian was named the next Bishop of Rome because of the bird’s miraculous landing during the process to elect a replacement.
Despite his unconventional path to the papacy, Fabian performed well and held the position for 14 years, until his death in 250. He is now recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church, and Fabian’s feast day is celebrated each January 20.
So, just who is eligible to become pope?
Eligibility Requirements For The Papacy
Think you’ve got what it takes to become the next pope? You might be more qualified than you think, as there are technically only two requirements. First, you have to be a male. Second, you must have been baptized into the Catholic Church. But don’t get your hopes up just yet…
A non-cardinal hasn’t been selected as pope since Urban VI was chosen in 1378. His papacy was dominated by turmoil and conflict, due to a rift in the Catholic Church called the Papal Schism.
Pope Benedict XVI Broke a Six-Century-Long Tradition
On February 11, 2013, the Vatican made a rare announcement: Pope Benedict XVI was resigning his position. The news stunned the world. In recent history, all popes have held the position until their deaths.
In fact, the last time a pope had resigned was in 1415, when Gregory XII stepped down in order to repair a rift in the Catholic Church. Prior to this politically necessary resignation, the last time the decision to step down had been made willingly was by Pope Celestine V in 1294.
Next: how popes are chosen.
How Popes Are Selected
When Pope Benedict XVI stepped down, the centuries-old process of electing a new pope was set into motion. When there is a papal vacancy, the church’s senior officials (called the College of Cardinals), assemble at the Vatican in preparation for the Papal Election. This meeting is known as a conclave.
During the conclave, all cardinals remain inside the Vatican and are strictly banned from having any contact at all with the outside world. Conclave can take days, weeks, or even years — as happened in the 13th century. A two-thirds supermajority vote is required to elect the new pope. In the photo above, cardinals file into the conclave to select a new Pope after John Paul II’s death.
