Pope

[Jordan_Rizk]

Does the Pope first start off as a priest from a Holy Order (Dominicans, Jesuits, Franciscans etc) or a diocesan priest?

 

[marty1818]

Either, however, I think it has been some time since we had a Pope from a religious order unless you count Third-Orders.

 

[LoyalViews]

Any single. Catholic male without binding secular ( family, et cetera ) obligations can be the Pope. Usually the single man is ordained before becoming pope, though I don’t think we’ve ever had a situation like this.

 

[Gorgias]

Usually the single man is ordained before becoming pope, though I don’t think we’ve ever had a situation like this.

Leo X, in the 1500’s. Was only a deacon (and cardinal!) prior to his election as pope, and was subsequently ordained a priest, then a bishop, before he could be crowned as pope.