Young Pope instead of Francis

The youngest living cardinal is 53, and is one of only 13 cardinals (out of, I think 222) under the age of 65.
 

Delta Force

Banned
Well, up till JPII changed the rules, the qualification for election was being a baptised Catholic, so, in theory, a woman could have been elected, but certainly several deacons were, with ordination to priesthood/bishop fairly immediate.
Now, they have to be an ordained cleric, so at least 25 as pointed out earlier.

Isn't there kind of the implication that the Pope would have to be a Catholic male, since the Pope is the Bishop of Rome, and only males can be priests, bishops, cardinals, etc.?

Also, why is the Pope Bishop of Rome if bishop is a lower rank than cardinal? Was it the highest position in the hierarchy when the Catholic Church was small, similar to how some military branches have been led by officers below the rank of general or admiral due to being too small to have higher ranks?
 
Also, why is the Pope Bishop of Rome if bishop is a lower rank than cardinal? Was it the highest position in the hierarchy when the Catholic Church was small, similar to how some military branches have been led by officers below the rank of general or admiral due to being too small to have higher ranks?

There are only three general levels of those who have recieved Holy Orders Bishop, Priest, and Deacon. The title of Cardinal is honorary and is bestowed by the Pope on members of the clergy. It is not higher than Bishop but is an additional title. Cardinals are generally Bishops but anyone of particular importance can be a Cardinal.
 
Let's work with the WI.

If the Pope is conservative, he is seen as a reformer, mending the differences between conservatives and liberals since Vatican II. You might get the Sedevacantists to come back.

If the Pope is a liberal and over the coming decades brings in women Priests, gays, and such, then he will very quickly be cast an anti-pope and might fissure the Catholic Church. The bread and butter of Catholicism is tradition. To so radically part with it and overthrow previous dogmas and doctrines would not go over well.

Perhaps the most a Pope can get away with is making certain forms of birth control (not the pill) okay, and perhaps married clergy. Any of the other social issues would likely tear the Church apart.
 
FYI, in Catholic history that have turned lay people into Bishops and Popes all in one day. So, it isn't impossible that a 20 something can be thrust into the position of Pope if he is a genius Catholic apologetic celebrity of some sort and they all get struck by the stupid stick.
 
Isn't there kind of the implication that the Pope would have to be a Catholic male, since the Pope is the Bishop of Rome, and only males can be priests, bishops, cardinals, etc.?

Also, why is the Pope Bishop of Rome if bishop is a lower rank than cardinal? Was it the highest position in the hierarchy when the Catholic Church was small, similar to how some military branches have been led by officers below the rank of general or admiral due to being too small to have higher ranks?

Bishop is not a lower rank than cardinal. Think of bishops being like generals, and Cardinals being like staff officers.
 
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