Is There Biblical Support in the Election of a Pope?

[peace2u2]

Is there biblical support in the Old Testament and/or the New Testament for the way a pope is elected?

I recall the story of Mathias, but can’t remember which book I can read about it when the remaining Apostles drew lots to replace Judas Iscariot.

Thanks.

 

[PaulinePresbytr]

It has no regulations on choosing the new Pope (or in the context of Acts a new Apostle) except that they be a true disciple of Christ. So election, casting lots, ect. are all valid

 

[rfournier103]

Is there biblical support in the Old Testament and/or the New Testament for the way a pope is elected?

I recall the story of Mathias, but can’t remember which book I can read about it when the remaining Apostles drew lots to replace Judas Iscariot.

Thanks.

It has no regulations on choosing the new Pope (or in the context of Acts a new Apostle) except that they be a true disciple of Christ. So election, casting lots, ect. are all valid

In Acts 1, they cast lots. If the present day College of Cardinals are the “Apostles”, they will in fact choose the new Pope in this manner. VERY Biblical… As you know, almost all Catholic Traditions are from the very pages of the Bible, and most people don’t even know it. Should be a very interesting next couple of weeks. Pray for us all…

 

[Victor2211]

I remember listening to an episode of Catholic Answers Live where Isaiah 22:22 was used to show Old Testament precedent for the passing of keys as pertaining to a passing of authority from one person to the next.

 

[beth40n2]

Acts 1 Douay Rheims
[21] Wherefore of these men who have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us, [22] Beginning from the baptism of John, until the day wherein he was taken up from us, one of these must be made a witness with us of his resurrection. [23] And they appointed two, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. [24] And praying, they said: Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, [25] To take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas hath by transgression fallen, that he might go to his own place.

[26] And they gave them lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Two were chosen first then the lots were drawn. These were both godly men. I see that as the appointment of the cardinals. Then comes the election.

 

[peace2u2]

I remember listening to an episode of Catholic Answers Live where Isaiah 22:22 was used to show Old Testament precedent for the passing of keys as pertaining to a passing of authority from one person to the next.

Thank you. I thought I’d post the words from the OT book that you referenced:

Isaiah, chapter 22:22
I will place the key of the House of David on his shoulder;
what he opens, no one will shut,
what he shuts, no one will open.

Which brings me to another question, in the process of the election, is a “key” actually placed on the shoulder of the man that is elected?

 

[peace2u2]

Acts 1 Douay Rheims
[21] Wherefore of these men who have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us, [22] Beginning from the baptism of John, until the day wherein he was taken up from us, one of these must be made a witness with us of his resurrection. [23] And they appointed two, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. [24] And praying, they said: Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, [25] To take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas hath by transgression fallen, that he might go to his own place.

[26] And they gave them lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Two were chosen first then the lots were drawn. These were both godly men. I see that as the appointment of the cardinals. Then comes the election.

Thanks for providing the NT Scripture passage that shows that the process of electing a pope is Biblical. I thought I’d post the entire chapter from 15-26.

Acts, chapter 1, verse 15-26
The Choice of Judas’s Successor.

15During those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers (there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons in the one place). He said, 16“My brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled which the holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17He was numbered among us and was allotted a share in this ministry. 18 He bought a parcel of land with the wages of his iniquity, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle, and all his insides spilled out. 19This became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem, so that the parcel of land was called in their language ‘Akeldama,’ that is, Field of Blood. 20For it is written in the Book of Psalms:

‘Let his encampment become desolate,

and may no one dwell in it.’

And:

‘May another take his office.’

21Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, 22beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. 24Then they prayed, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.” 26 Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles.