Popes develop a tradition of appointing their successors

[acgoldis]

What would have happened if popes were given the opportunity to appoint their successors? The papacy can't be hereditary because the pope is celibate, but adoption is a possibility here (and Caesar adopted Octavian after all).

We would assume that the cardinals had to meet at some point to confirm the candidate (though whether by a majority or 2/3 supermajority is up for debate).

A conclave would only be called if a pope died without nominating a successor (or if the successor were no longer alive at the time the pope abdicated or died)

 

[Skallagrim]

The papacy can't be hereditary because the pope is celibate

Cesare Borgia says hi and wishes to express his interest in your proposal.

 

[da Racontor]

What would have happened if popes were given the opportunity to appoint their successors? The papacy can't be hereditary because the pope is celibate, but adoption is a possibility here (and Caesar adopted Octavian after all).

We would assume that the cardinals had to meet at some point to confirm the candidate (though whether by a majority or 2/3 supermajority is up for debate).

A conclave would only be called if a pope died without nominating a successor (or if the successor were no longer alive at the time the pope abdicated or died)

The first few were appointed (or at least recommended) by the previous pope before death.

 

[Max Sinister]

Why did they change this then? Was some pope killed by persecution before he had appointed a successor?

 

[da Racontor]

Why did they change this then? Was some pope killed by persecution before he had appointed a successor?

A big reason was to keep secular authorities from influencing the next pope, it is a lot harder to influence a large group of electors than it is one person. Though obviously this didn't always work. I'm sure there are other I just don't know the specifics of them.

 

[Lalli]

There might be then risk that there will be long reigning papal dynasties when pope would appoint his nephew as his successor, no matter how cabable he would be.

 

[The Professor]

There's also the fact that the early Church was a lot more factional than may appear. Allowing input and compromise candidates kept it from schisming so much.

 

[da Racontor]

There's also the fact that the early Church was a lot more factional than may appear. Allowing input and compromise candidates kept it from schisming so much.

and it was a lot harder to get enough people together to have a vote for various reason...