Pondering What My New Name Will Be After I’m Elected the Next Pope

There are several on my shortlist

St. Peter’s Basilica at night (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

I was looking back over some of my older stories about the popes a few days ago when I came across one from 2022 listing ten solid reasons why I should be the next pope. I realize that the position is not currently open, and hopefully will not be for years to come (keep getting better, Papa Francisco), but it definitely will be again at some point. Pope Leo XIII is currently the oldest pope in the history of the Church; he was 93 when he died on July 20, 1903. This is a record that Francis may very well break, but even if he makes it to 100, I’ll still only be 71.

Since I’ve already come up with the reasons I should be elected when the time comes, my mind turned instead to what name I would take once I become the successor of St. Peter. Before I get to them however, I need to answer the question some of you started asking as soon as you read the title of this piece: How can I become pope when I’m not even a cardinal?

The answer is a simple one: according to Canon Law, I do not have to be a cardinal — or even a priest — to be elected pope. Any baptized Catholic male can be named pope, including laymen. I would have to be ordained both a priest and a bishop at that point, as the pope is also the Bishop of Rome, but that’s ok…