Can there be an Eastern Catholic pope?

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It depends on what you mean; if you mean Pope as in “universal Bishop and human head of the whole Church”, then no. But if you mean “Pope” as simply a word for a bishop (which is what it was originally used for) then no. The word Pope IS used in the Coptic Orthodox Church (though not Coptic Catholic) for their Patriarch, and, I’d imagine, has much the same history.
 
The title pretty much says it all.
Yes, an Eastern Catholic could become pope of the whole universal Catholic Church. He would have to be a male, able to be ordained as a bishop upon election, if he is not already a bishop. There are already some priests and bishops who are, Latin and Eastern, “biritual”. They would have been a priest or bishop already in Latin or Eastern, then were later approved as priest or bishop for the other rite as well. They are continuing as bishops in Latin, and one particular Eastern, rite.

A papal candidate would have to be someone capable of being a bishop in the Latin Rite, because besides being the supreme pontiff of the whole universal Catholic Church, he would also have to serve as the Latin Rite bishop of Rome, and head of the Latin Rite overall. If he is already a bishop in an Eastern Catholic Rite, he would (I think) have to resign that see, and would likely no longer sit with his fellow bishops of that rite in council. But he would still be a bishop of that Eastern Rite, as well as Latin now.
 
Yes.
But he would still be a bishop of that Eastern Rite, as well as Latin now.
Multiple problems with this. First of all, one is not a bishop of a ritual, they are a bishop of a Church. Secondly, it does not make conceivable sense that you would belong to two Churches - when someone is granted by ritual faculties, they’re not said to be incardinated into two dioceses but are granted temporary faculties that will expire if not renewed. You also say they would no longer sit in the synod. If they are a bishop of that Church, they do. If they are not, then they don’t. They cannot both be a legitimate bishop of a synodal Church and be excluded.

Now the very fact one must resign their see to assume the papacy suggests, likewise, an Eastern prelate would assume a Latin see and, therefore, become a Latin bishop (the pope is, after all, the head of the Latin Church).
 
Yes, an Eastern Catholic could become Pope, Bishop of Rome. It almost goes without saying that St. Peter was an Eastern bishop. There were other Eastern Popes before the Great Schism. The problem is that the Bishop of Rome is a Latin rite bishop and few Eastern rite Catholic bishops are bi-ritual. That is, however, something that could be dealt with if the College of Cardinals wanted to elect an Eastern prelate.

catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=2741
“The Popes and the Eastern Rites”
 
To be elected Pope, one must first be a cardinal. I believe there are two Eastern Catholic Cardinals presently. Our Maronite patriarch is a cardinal, Bechara Rai.

cnewa.org/default.aspx?ID=1996&pagetypeID=8&sitecode=hq&pageno=1
No, the pope is elected by the cardinals, and for many years they have chosen one of their number, but he does not have to be a cardinal. The cardinals could choose someone who is not a cardinal for pope. But he has to be someone who is a bishop, or can be ordained as one.
 
I would think so. Why wouldn’t an Eastern Catholic be able to become pope, as long as any other requirements are met? Eastern Rite has its own differences from Western Rite, but unlike the Eastern Orthodox, they are in communion with the Church. 😃
 
Yes.

Multiple problems with this. First of all, one is not a bishop of a ritual, they are a bishop of a Church. Secondly, it does not make conceivable sense that you would belong to two Churches - when someone is granted by ritual faculties, they’re not said to be incardinated into two dioceses but are granted temporary faculties that will expire if not renewed. You also say they would no longer sit in the synod. If they are a bishop of that Church, they do. If they are not, then they don’t. They cannot both be a legitimate bishop of a synodal Church and be excluded.

Now the very fact one must resign their see to assume the papacy suggests, likewise, an Eastern prelate would assume a Latin see and, therefore, become a Latin bishop (the pope is, after all, the head of the Latin Church).
The original post asked if an Eastern Catholic **person **could become pope. I believe that he can. If he is a layman, or “only” a priest, at the time he is elected pope, he has to be ordainable as a Latin Rite priest, and/or bishop. If he happens to already be a bishop in Eastern Rite, I suppose you are right the pope can continue to sit in the synod, too, if he already belonged to it. If he needed “temporary faculties” to assume the position of Bishop of Rome (Latin), I am sure they would be granted for as long as he is pope.

In theory, Pope Francis could have retained his position as archbishop in Argentina; after all, a bishop can be ordinary of 2 dioceses. For that matter, he is the pope, so he makes the rules. The reality is that he would not have time to do that, nor to keep attending bishops meetings in Argentina. But he could if he wanted to.
 
I would say “no” on this.

An Eastern Catholic could be elected pope, and serve for sure.

But the Pope’s duties and titles include being the bishop and ordinary of a Latin Rite diocese- as such, it would make him a member of the Latin Rite- conducting his liturgical duties in the Latin Rite.
 
Didn’t the Armenian Cardinal Agajaian received votes in two conclaves and I believe was even the favorite to be elected to Suceeed PPXII in 1957
 
Yes, an Eastern Catholic could become Pope. There are even a few Eastern Catholic Cardinals. Upon becoming Pope he would have to tranfer to the Latin Church since the Pope is the Patriarch of the West. He could still celebrate in his original rite though, and preform any rituals or specific customs from his original rite at any time at any place, though he’d still be Latin.
 
Could a Eastern Catholic Cardinal be a Pope? Aren’t they allowed to be married? :confused:
The Eastern Catholic (and Eastern Orthodox) Churches do ordain married men to the presbyterate/priesthood, but bishops are only chosen from among the celibate.
 
And I think it would be wonderful for the Church if it happened. Conceivably we would gain a new appreciation for mystery and the work of the Holy Spirit, as opposed to the rationalism which has dominated the West. A pope from the East might also bring an interesting perspective on the married priesthood.
 
And I think it would be wonderful for the Church if it happened. Conceivably we would gain a new appreciation for mystery and the work of the Holy Spirit, as opposed to the rationalism which has dominated the West. A pope from the East might also bring an interesting perspective on the married priesthood.
I think it would be good for Catholic-Orthodox relations, too.
 
after all, a bishop can be ordinary of 2 dioceses.
Can he? I am not to sure about that. I mean in the modern era, not medieval type inherited bishoprics. Any examples or Canon permitting it?

Not trying to start an argument. Just interest to know.
 
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