Papabile

PAPABILE

Papabile literally means capable of being elected, that is possessing the requirements of the Divine Law for Papal Election, not necessarily being the most ideal choice. Throughout history young men and even sinners have been elected to the Papacy, and yet the election was considered valid and never challenged.

Austin Dowling, who wrote the article ‘Conclave’ for the ‘Catholic Encyclopedia’ states: “Strictly speaking, any male Christian who has reached the use of reason can be chosen, not, however, a heretic, a schismatic, or a notorious simonist.”

William H. Fanning in the article ‘Papal Elections’ in the ‘Catholic Encyclopedia’ elaborates: “A layman may also be elected as pope, as was Celestine V (1294). Even the election of a married man would not be invalid (c. “Qui uxorem”, 19, caus. 33, Q. 5). Of course the election of a heretic, schismatic, or female would be null and void. Immediately on the canonical election of a candidate and his acceptance, he is true pope and can exercise full and absolute jurisdiction over the whole Church. A papal election, therefore, needs no confirmation, as the pontiff has no superior on earth.”

To be papabile a person must possess three qualifications:

1. Baptized

2. Male

3. Who has not departed from the Church by schism, heresy or apostasy

Baptism is essential, as no one can receive ecclesiastical authority, who is not a member of the Catholic Church by Baptism. Therefore a catechumen cannot be validly elected Pope. Should it happen that a catechumen was elected, his election could not be accepted until after Baptism, as in the case of Saint Ambrose’s election as Bishop of Milan, while yet a catechumen.

Despite the fraud of the claim that there was a ‘Pope Joan’ it is impossible for a woman to be elected Pope, just as it is impossible for a woman to be validly ordained. Jesus chose only men to enter the hierarchy in this manner, that is by appointment or election to the various offices in His Church and by the subsequent ordination to Holy Orders connected with those offices.

Saint Robert Bellarmine summarizes the fact that a heretic cannot become Pope in his ‘de Romano Pontifice’: “This principle is most certain. The non-Christian cannot in any way be Pope, as Cajetan himself admits. The reason for this is that he cannot be head of what he is not a member, now he who is not a Christian is not a member of the Church, and a manifest heretic is not a Christian, as is clearly taught by Saint Cyprian (Liber 4, Epitle 8), Saint Athanasius (Scr 2 Contra Arianus), Saint Augustine, liber de great. Christ. Caput 20), Saint Jerome (contra Lucifer.) and others; therefore the manifest heretic cannot be Pope.”

Pope Paul IV infallibly declared in his Papal Sull ‘Cum Ex Apostolatus Officio’: “Further, if ever at any time it becomes apparent that any Bishop, even one conducting himself as an Archbishop, Patriarch, or primate; or any Cardinal of the aforesaid Roman Church, even as mentioned, a Legate; or likewise any Roman Pontiff before his promotion or elevation as a Cardinal or Roman Pontiff, has strayed from the Catholic Faith or fallen into some heresy, or has incurred, encouraged or incited schism, then his promotion or elevation shall be null, invalid and void. It cannot be declared valid or become valid through his acceptance of the office, his consecration, subsequent possession or seeming possession of government and administration, or by the enthronement of or homage paid to the same Roman Pontiff, or by universal obedience accorded him, or by the passage of any time in said circumstances, nor shall it be held as quasi-legitimate. It shall not be considered to have given or to give any power of administration in matters spiritual or temporal, to such persons promoted as Archbishops, Patriarchs or primates or elevated as Cardinals or as Roman Pontiff. Rather, each and, every one of their statements, deeds, enactments, and administrative acts, of any kind, and any result thereof whatsoever, shall be without force and shall confer no legality or right on anyone. The persons themselves so promoted and elevated shall, ipso facto and without need for any further declaration, be deprived of any dignity, position, honor, title, authority, office and power, without any exception as regards those who might have been promoted or elevated before they deviated from the faith, became heretics, incurred schism, or committed or encouraged any or all of these.

Pope Pius XII on October 5, 1957 in an audience on the lay apostolate confirmed: Even if a layman were elected pope, he could accept the election only if he were fit to be ordained. But the power to teach and govern, as well as the divine gift of infallibility, would be granted to him from the very moment he accepted election, even before his ordination.