Limited term Pope

OK, this is half baked idea that just poped in my mind.

With Benedict XVI resigning and Francis saying he may do so as well got me thinking. Could we have a situation where Popes are not elected for life but rather for limited time. Say 10 years or so.

Now, the way I'm, seeing this is that something happens with earlier Pope(s). He either resignes or is faced with united cardinal front demanding his resignation. Or maybe cardinals can't agree on candidate and they reach a compromise that they'll repeat elections in 10 (or so) years.

When that happens somebody has the bright idea that such thing might be made permanent and new elections are held every 10 years at the latest.

so, do you think that's possible?
 
I don't think this could happen before the rule of Theodosius I. Even after 325 Christians kind of kept their 'heads down'. But lets say thing go pretty much OTL.
If the HRH comes into being then thing could get nasty, but at least you have Rome keeping control. Later who is going to get their own Pope? Rome, the HRH, the ERE?
Again if things go much the same as OLT and the power of France comes into play, want then? A Pope who can only rule for 10 years can't do anything. Never mind an Anti-Pope it will be Anti-Popes left right and centre.
If you are lucky you may get 3 good and powerful in a row, if not a war between France, Italy, Spain and HRE every 20 years or so. England supporting any of them at anytime depending on who is in their best interests.
Today their might not even be a Catholic church as we know it.
 
What happens to Popes that die within the set term? And are there any limits to how many times you can stand in elections?
 
What happens to Popes that die within the set term?

New elections are held. which why I said new elections happen every 10 years at the latest, earleir if pope resigns or dies.

And are there any limits to how many times you can stand in elections?

I wouldn't think so though I suspect if this passes then popes who are old in the tooth and a bit senile would be persuaded not to run again.
 
New elections are held. which why I said new elections happen every 10 years at the latest, earleir if pope resigns or dies.

I wouldn't think so though I suspect if this passes then popes who are old in the tooth and a bit senile would be persuaded not to run again.

Fair enough that is understandable.

The problem with trying to put term limits on any office is that there is always atleast one person who will take advantage eg Pope Alexander VI.
 
OTL, the Pope has enormous power. In particular, he is 'infallible' when speaking ex cathedra. It is incredibly difficult to put limitations on him, then, as a new Pope can just declare new rules.

So...

To get this to work at all, you'd need to massively reduce the power of the Papacy in the Church, possibly by going to a Concilliar system, where the ultimate authority was Church Councils, not the Papacy.

That would produce far, far more changes than mere term limits.
 
Top