Q&A for How to Become Pope

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Can I meet the pope?

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Yes, but it would have to be at a designated greeting, which can be difficult.

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How do they make the smoke black or white?

Community Answer

According to the Vatican press office, the black smoke is produced by a mixture of potassium perchlorate, anthracene and sulphur. The white smoke is a mixture of potassium chlorate, lactose and a pine resin, also known as Greek pitch.

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How old does someone have to be in order to become the pope?

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There is no official age requirement for becoming pope.

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Since Pope Benedict XVI is still a pope and we call him such, what is his role now that we have Pope Francis?

Community Answer

He is Pope Emeritus - essentially, he's retired. Although one can't know for sure, given His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has said that he is on the last stretch to Heaven, he is likely writing his final memoirs.

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What did Pope Francis do before he was elected?

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He was a cardinal. Before being a cardinal, he was a bishop and before that, a priest.

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Why do they burn the ballot papers?

Community Answer

It is done to maintain the secrecy of the ballot, and to maintain Catholic tradition.

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Can I become a Pope as a Muslim?

Community Answer

No, the Pope is the spiritual head of the Catholic church. He is not affiliated to Islam. You have to be a Catholic male to be elected as Pope.

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Can the Pope make changes to Catholicism? Does he have that power?

Community Answer

In a private conversation with his longtime friend from Buenos Aires, Oscar Crespo, Pope Francis reportedly revealed his plans to change important "archaic" parts of the Catholic rules. Crespo claims the Pope intends to overturn the "centuries-old ban" on Catholic priests from getting married and to lift the banishment of divorcees from the Catholic church. So, yes, he has some power to make changes.

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Can I become Pope after converting from Hinduism to Catholicism?

Community Answer

Yes, this is done through RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) where a person is brought into the Catholic religion. After this the process is the same.

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Is there any age limit to become a Pope?

Community Answer

You have to get through college to be a priest, and it takes several years/decades to work your way up to it, but besides that no.

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Is the pope a priest?

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Community Answer

A pope is the leader of the Roman Catholic church. All popes start as priests. So yes, the pope is a priest.

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If the pope is still a priest, can he still do mass? If so, who was the last pope to do mass?

Community Answer

Yes, all the popes are priests, and they all celebrate mass very regularly. Some even celebrate mass daily. So to answer your last question, Pope Francis is the most recent pope to celebrate a mass.

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Can I be pope if I am a woman?

Community Answer

No, you can't be a pope if you're a woman. You have to be male, just as there are no female priests, bishops, archbishops or cardinals. Women can become nuns.

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Can you be any race to be a pope?

Community Answer

Yes, any race can become pope, but so far only white popes have been elected.

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Do you have to be male to become the pope?

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Yes, currently, you have to be a male to be the pope.

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How is sainthood decided?

Community Answer

The article How to Become a Saint explains the factors used to decide that someone was a saint.

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Why do popes change their names when they become popes?

Community Answer

It is inscribed in the Bible that God changed the names of those he assigned special missions to.

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How much does the pope get paid?

Community Answer

The pope does not get paid.

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Question

Have all previous popes been priests?

Community Answer

Although it is possible for an average Catholic male to become the pope, all popes so far have been priests.

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In the history of the church, has there ever been a pope who was Catholic but never ordained as priest?

Community Answer

Although it is possible, it has never happened. The chances are extremely slim.

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Can I convert from Islam and become the pope?

Community Answer

While possible, that is incredibly unlikely. It is incredibly unlikely even for a lifelong Catholic to become the pope.

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Can I become the pope if I am Hindu and Indian?

Community Answer

The pope is the leader of the Catholic Church, so you must be Catholic to become pope. However, it does not matter if you are Indian.

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What is a vicar?

Community Answer

A vicar is a term used by the Church of England (Anglican) for a parish priest.

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Can I become Pope if I don't believe in God?

Community Answer

No. The Pope is chosen from priests who have dedicated their entire adult lives to God and Catholicism. I think you would have a difficult time being a good priest if you don't believe in God.

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Can a Muslim become a Catholic?

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Yes, a Muslim can convert to Catholicism.

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Can an Indian become pope?

Community Answer

Yes, so long as the Indian in question is a practicing, male Catholic. There is no rule against any race with regard to the Papal conclave.

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Why can't I be a woman and a pope?

Community Answer

Traditionally the Catholic Church only accept males for priests, bishops, archbishops, cardinals and popes and it is a strict catholic church rule. If you are female you can become a nun.

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Is there a possibility to elect a black pope?

Community Answer

Yes, it just hasn't happened yet. There aren't any rules against it, contrary to the urban legend that says so. It would be completely fine.

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Why can't a woman become a priest or Pope?

Community Answer

A woman cannot become a Pope or a priest because the church does not allow it. You can become a nun though!

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Can the pope be black?

Community Answer

Yes, race does not matter to God and a black pope is always a possibility.

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