What Would Happen if the Pope Went Missing?

[Willing_Spirit]

I have a curiosity about apostolic succession. If the pope went went missing for years (plane crash on an island or something) and was presumed dead with a new pope elected, what would happen if the missing pope was found? Does the Holy Spirit prevent a dilemma like this from ever happening?

 

[vsedriver]

one pope would step down

 

[Inquiry]

This isn’t an apostolic succession issue. The pope doesn’t have a greater share than any other bishop in that regards.

 

[Crocus]

That’s not a Catholic Answer, right?

 

[Inquiry]

I misread the OP and figured I’d retract and restate rather than cause confusion.

 

[Willing_Spirit]

I’m not sure what you mean by greater share, but isn’t the successor of Peter the only one that has certain abilities like speaking infallibly?

 

[Inquiry]

Yes, but that isn’t because he has a greater piece of the apostolic succession. If every single bishop save one died, the succession would still be fully intact.

 

[Willing_Spirit]

Is there any guidance on which one should step down? Like, “The election was invalid because there already was a pope,” or “God guided the election of a new pope in their time of need, so he is the rightful pope?”

 

[Glennon_P]

Or maybe we go Avignon…both resign and we elect a new one.

 

[Divine3]

Oh, I guess they would have Mary and Joseph find the pope…but it might take more then three days.

 

[porthos11]

Is there any guidance on which one should step down? Like, “The election was invalid because there already was a pope,” or “God guided the election of a new pope in their time of need, so he is the rightful pope?”

The new antipope steps down and all his acts and decrees are deemed null as is his election.

 

[Crocus]

what would happen if the missing pope was found?

I think the Swiss Guard should immediately double up, so that such a lost and found dilemma never occurs!

 

[1Lord1Faith]

Is there any precedent for a body of bishops to abrogate a sitting Pope whom was unable to carry out the responsibilities of the office. For example, a Pope having dementia for a long period of time.

 

[ChurchSoldier]

This.

The Western Great Schism: Two Popes at One Time

In 1378, for the first time in history, the same college of cardinals elected two Roman Catholic popes in two cities just months apart. This papal conflict is known as the Western Great Schism.

www.christian-history.org

 

[halogirl]

Ok so I just imagined whoever would be the new pope stepping out on the balcony and suddenly a voice goes ’Basta!’ and it’s pope Francis in jungle fatigues gear with healed injuries and a body guard of Amazonian native people that Saved him from the plane crash who have come with him to take back the throne.

 

[porthos11]

This.

The Western Great Schism: Two Popes at One Time

During the Great Western Schism there was ever only one Pope. The other (and eventually, other two) were antipopes.

The difficulty at the time was figuring out who was which. Today we have the official line of valid Popes through the Schism, the others identified as antipopes.

 

[thistle]

Is there any precedent for a body of bishops to abrogate a sitting Pope whom was unable to carry out the responsibilities of the office. For example, a Pope having dementia for a long period of time.

There is already a thread on this topic. The only way to remove a Pope is by resignation or death. If a Pope is in a coma or has dementia he remains Pope.