A pope's term ends either by his death or, more rarely, by resignation. The College of Cardinals gathers in a "conclave" to select the new pope.
But is the pope ultimately chosen by God?
Old Testament and Gospels
In the Old Testament, God spoke directly to His chosen leaders to make His wishes known. For example, God spoke to Samuel regarding the selection of both Saul (1 Samuel 9:15-16) and David (1 Samuel 16:11-12) to be king over Israel. In the New Testament, Jesus Himself appointed twelve apostles from among his disciples (Luke 6:12-16). These examples demonstrate the basic process: God spoke directly to trusted people to reveal His will.
After Jesus' death and resurrection, the believers gathered to choose a successor to Judas Iscariot. Acts 1:15-26 describes the process:
- Peter described the qualifications: a man who was with the group of disciples "all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us" (Acts 1:21).
- The believers put forward two men who met these qualifications (Acts 1:23).
- The group prayed for God's guidance (Acts 1:24-25).
- They drew lots to determine Judas' successor (Acts 1:26).
Interestingly, this was the last time that the process of drawing lots was used. After Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit filled the believers, God led the Church differently. In Acts 6, when the Church needed leaders to direct the daily distribution of food to widows, the Church chose seven men "of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom" (Acts 6:3). Once they were chosen, the apostles prayed and laid hands on them (Acts 6:6).
Another example is even more relevant:
Now there were prophets and teachers at Antioch, in the church that was there: Barnabas, Simeon, who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul. While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the word to which I have called them. Then, when they had fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and, from there, sailed to Cyprus (Acts 13:1-4).
The leaders of the church in Antioch gathered for worship, and the Holy Spirit directed them to set apart Barnabas and Saul.
Finally, Acts 15 describes the council in Jerusalem regarding evangelizing Gentiles. Acts 15:22 says that "it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas." James, the leader of the church in Jerusalem, sent a letter with these representatives that twice used the phrase "it seemed good to us":
- It seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul (Acts 15:25).
- For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials (Acts 15:28).
That phrase – it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us – sets forth God's standard for leading His Church.
Theological Considerations
The question, "Does God choose the pope?" can be considered in two different ways. The first view holds that because God is Sovereign, everything that happens is a direct result of God's will.
The second view holds that God influences individuals and their choices while allowing events to unfold, recognizing that people have the freedom to obey or disobey His will.
Selection Process
Clearly, the Roman Catholic Church believes that God ultimately chooses the pope. The College of Cardinals gathers, hears sermons, prays, and votes. Each elector takes an oath before God to vote for whom they believe should be elected. A two-thirds majority is required.
These procedures encourage electors to seek God's direction and resemble biblical precedents. Over time, changes in procedures have focused more on divine guidance.
Ultimately, saying the pope is "chosen by God" does not mean that other church leaders are not also chosen by God. Various Christian denominations appoint leaders in different ways, all aiming to follow God's will.
As Jesus prayed in John 17:23, "The glory which You have given Me I also have given to them, so that they may be one, just as We are one, I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and You loved them just as You loved Me."
