Who Will Be the Next Pope

Pope Francis died last Monday morning at 7:35 am Rome time.  This means that in the United States we woke up to the news of his passing.  Immediately the news spoke of his time as pope.  They spoke of his international trips and controversial trips.  This much is good.

Within hours of his death, they also began to speak of who the next pope will be.  I would have hoped that this could have waited a day or two out of respect for Pope Francis as we mourn his passing.

I am happy to say that most of the news stories about who the next pope will be have so far centered on the process (see www.catholicnewsagency.com).  Now that Pope Francis’ funeral Mass is over and he has been placed in his tomb, the conversation will appropriately focus on who the next pope will be.

I am in no position to suggest individuals to be the next pope, nor do I have interest in that.  This can quickly become political in nature.  All I can say here is that history shows that it will probably be someone who is presently a cardinal but this is not required.

One could also ask what qualities should the new pope have.  It is fair to say that the person needs to be holy.  In today’s world of modern (rapid) communication, it needs to be someone who speaks well to interact with the world.  It needs to be a person who knows the truth of our faith and holds to it.

Of course, some people will say that the new pope needs to x, y, and z.  I will not ask what x, y, and z represent for you. 

I will ask you that you do not focus your prayers on getting a pope who will do what you want.  There is a better way.  Rather than pray that we get a pope who will do what you think he should, I think our prayers must focus on one thing, that the person selected to be pope is the person God is calling to lead his Church.  In conjunction with this, we need to pray that the cardinals listen not to the world in selecting the next pope.  We need to pray that the cardinals listen to the Holy Spirit.

The Catholic Church emerged from the side of Jesus on the Cross as blood and water flowed from his side (see John 19:34).  Our Catholic Church received its mission when Jesus said, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).  The Catholic Church began to fulfill its mission following the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-11). 

Since then, for two thousand years, the Church has not been without its struggles.  There have been scandals and corruption.  There have been times of persecution and times when the faith has been taken to the ends of the earth.  The Church has made it through the scandal and persecution because, while human beings are imperfect, the Holy Spirit has always been guiding our church.

Please pray that the cardinals listen to the Holy Spirit and select the man God has chosen to be the next pope.

Peace,

Fr. Jeff