The next new pontiff to following in Pope Francis’ footsteps probably won’t be a woman due to a centuries-old tradition.
Who will take on the role as the Holy Father at the Head of the Roman Catholic Church after the death of Pope Francis, real name Jorge Mario Bergoglio, on Easter Monday (April 21) is what most of the world is wondering and is yet to be determined.
And while the Papal Conclave aren’t due to deliberate on candidates until at least 15 days have passed, and will do so in secret while locked in the Sistine Chapel, we already know the new Pope will be a man – as all 138 eligible candidates are male.
Despite his liberal approach, Francis stood pretty firm on his reasoning why women can’t ever take over the coveted place.
In theory, any baptised male in the world could be considered for election, although in practice, the Conclave often choose a serving cardinal.
The rules stipulate the man cannot be married and is recognised already as a priest, bishop, deacon, layman or cardinal.
And it’s here why baptised women are not offered the same possibility – because the Catholic Church does not permit women to become ordained priests.
It’s a tradition that has stretched the ages throughout the reign of all 266 popes from the 13th century.
The news may come as a shock considering Pope Francis was no stranger to breaking tradition since his election in 2013, giving up his papal salary and opting to live in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, a humble church guest house, as opposed to the grand Apostolic Palace.
The Argentinian cardinal, who chose his papal name in honour of Sant Francis of Assisi, also became known as the progressive Pope for his liberal attitudes on issues from climate change to LGBTQ+ rights. He pushed for other reforms like giving more roles to women in high-ranking Vatican positions and went on to appoint more non-European cardinals than any of the Popes before him in his vision for a more inclusive Catholic Church.
And even in death, he is continuing to challenge norms by being buried outside the Vatican.
But allowing women to become ordained was never on his agenda, instead stressing to America Magazine that women have a different but equally important role to play in the Church.
When asked by a reporter about why women can’t be ordained, he replied: “And why can a woman not enter ordained ministry? It is because the Petrine principle has no place for that,” reports the Catholic News Agency.
He continued to explain how the Church ‘is woman’ and ‘is a spouse,’ with the religion yet to develop a ‘theology of women that reflect this’ before highlighting the existing Marian principle of femininity.
“Therefore, that the woman does not enter into the ministerial life is not a deprivation. No. Your place is that which is much more important and which we have yet to develop, the catechesis about women in the way of the Marian principle.”
He also hinted ‘the administrative way’ could present a path for women where he admitted: “In this aspect, I believe we have to give more space to women.”
He also said women do ‘better’ at managing things, remarking his appointment of five women a ‘revolution’ in certain roles.
“For this reason, the advice of a woman is very important, and the decision of a woman is better,” he said.
So perhaps there is hope after all…
