Q&A for How to Become Pope

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

Can I meet the pope?

Community Answer

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

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 36 Helpful 53
Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 41 Helpful 99
Question

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

Community Answer

There is no official age requirement for becoming pope.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 44 Helpful 97
Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 15 Helpful 31
Question

What did Pope Francis do before he was elected?

Community Answer

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

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 44 Helpful 73
Question

Why do they burn the ballot papers?

Community Answer

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

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 11 Helpful 27
Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 54 Helpful 87
Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 22 Helpful 25
Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 8 Helpful 15
Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 32 Helpful 40
Question

Is the pope a priest?

Bradenplier

Community Answer

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

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 17 Helpful 25
Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 11 Helpful 17
Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 39 Helpful 49
Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 25 Helpful 30
Question

Do you have to be male to become the pope?

Community Answer

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

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 6
Question

How is sainthood decided?

Community Answer

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

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 3
Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 4
Question

How much does the pope get paid?

Community Answer

The pope does not get paid.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 11 Helpful 12
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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 3
Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 4
Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 3
Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 5
Question

What is a vicar?

Community Answer

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

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 3
Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 5
Question

Can a Muslim become a Catholic?

Community Answer

Yes, a Muslim can convert to Catholicism.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 3
Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 2
Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 3
Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2
Question

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!

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 5
Question

Can the pope be black?

Community Answer

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

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3