R.M.P Marotta Long Island

Why this is important: The election of a new pope is one of the most sacred and intricate processes in the Roman Catholic Church, steeped in centuries of tradition, secrecy, and spiritual significance. It is a moment when the global Catholic community holds its breath, awaiting the white smoke from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, signaling the selection of a new “Vicar of Christ”. For the newly elected pope, this moment marks the beginning of a profound journey—one that involves not only leading 1.4 billion Catholics but also grappling with the weight of tradition, the authority of scripture, and the pressing need for reform in a rapidly changing world. This article explores the papal election process in detail, imagines the spiritual and intellectual awakening of a new pope as he confronts contradictions between Catholic doctrine and scripture, and reflects on how he might navigate the path of fostering change within the Church. The complexity is challenging. Imagine the scope of change to get 406,996 Priests, 5,600 Bishops and 252 Cardinals to embrace a scripture based change?

The Papal Conclave: A Sacred and Ancient Process — The choice of a new pope occurs through a papal conclave; a gathering of the College of Cardinals convened after the death or resignation of a reigning pontiff. The term “conclave” derives from the Latin cum clave, meaning “with a key,” reflecting the historical practice of locking cardinals in seclusion to ensure focus and secrecy. Governed by the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis (issued by Pope John Paul II in 1996 and amended by Pope Benedict XVI), the conclave is a meticulously structured process designed to discern God’s will through prayer, deliberation, and voting.

The process begins with the death or resignation of a pope, after which the College of Cardinals assumes temporary governance of the Church. Cardinals under the age of 80, known as cardinal electors, are summoned to Rome for a series of general congregations. These meetings allow cardinals to discuss the Church’s needs, global challenges, and the qualities required in the next pope. Typically, 15 to 20 days after the papal vacancy, the conclave begins with a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, invoking the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

The cardinals then proceed to the Sistine Chapel, where they take an oath of secrecy. The doors are locked, and the phrase extra omnes (“everyone out”) is declared, ensuring only electors and a few officials remain. Voting occurs in silence, with each cardinal writing the name of their chosen candidate on a ballot card inscribed with Eligo in Summum Pontificem (“I elect as Supreme Pontiff”). Ballots are cast twice daily, morning and afternoon, and burned after each round. Black smoke indicates no pope has been elected, while white smoke signals a successful election, achieved when a candidate secures a two-thirds majority.

Theoretically, any baptized Catholic male can be elected pope, though since the 15th century, only cardinals have been chosen. The elected cardinal is asked, “Acceptasne electionem de te canonice factam in Summum Pontificem?” (Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?). Upon acceptance, he chooses a papal name and is vested in white robes before appearing on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where the senior cardinal deacon announces, Habemus Papam (“We have a pope”).

This process is steeped in ritual. For the new pope, the conclave’s conclusion marks the beginning of a transformative journey—one that will lead him to confront the very foundations of the traditions he is tasked with upholding. He will confront the risen Jesus, true grace and the poser of scripture and the Holy Spirit.

A New Pope’s Awakening: Confronting Contradictions with Scripture – Imagine a newly elected pope—let us call him Pope Leo XIV—a cardinal from a diverse region, perhaps Latin America or Africa, with a deep theological background and a lifelong commitment to scripture. As he assumes the papacy, Leo XIV is acutely aware of the Church’s role as the guardian of tradition, yet he is also a man of introspection, shaped by years of studying the Bible and engaging with the faithful in a world grappling with modernity. Early in his pontificate, he begins to reflect deeply on the relationship between the error of Catholic doctrine and the primacy of scripture, prompted by both personal prayer, conviction of the Holy Spirit and encounters with dissenting voices within and outside the Church.

1. One of the first contradictions Leo XIV encounters is the doctrine of papal infallibility, defined at the First Vatican Council (1869–1870). The dogma asserts that when the pope speaks ex cathedra on matters of faith and morals, he is preserved from error by the Holy Spirit. Yet, as Leo XIV delves into scripture, he finds no explicit support for this concept. Passages like Matthew 16:18–19 (“You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church”) and Luke 22:32 (“I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail”) are often cited as evidence of Petrine primacy, but they do not clearly endorse infallibility. Critics, including Protestant scholars, argue that the Bible emphasizes scripture as the ultimate authority (e.g., 2 Timothy 3:16–17: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”). Leo XIV questions whether the doctrine of infallibility, while intended to ensure doctrinal stability, overstates the pope’s role relative to the broader body of believers.
2. No assurance of salvation because it is merit-based. This is a noticeably big deal. It is a significant error to believe you can earn, through good works, your way to salvation. The teaching of salvation by sacramentalism and merit is at odds with the Biblical salvation by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus the Messiah alone and is not biblically correct. Salvation is a wondrous gift, granted by God’s grace alone, requiring nothing but faith in Jesus the Messiah. Trust in Jesus alone, for His sacrifice has secured your eternal hope. No works can earn this divine love; it is freely given through faith. Rejoice in the assurance that the Messiah’s grace is sufficient, now and forever. We’re all depraved sinners. No one can possibly merit Heaven. The new Pope realizes the churches error and commits himself to change this error. Imagine the scope of change to get 406,996 Priests, 5,600 Bishops and 252 Cardinals to embrace this scriptural change?
3. The concept of sainthood also troubles Leo. The Catholic Church reserves the title of “saint” for canonized individuals, a process controlled by the Vatican and often posthumous. Yet, scripture frequently refers to all believers as “saints” (e.g., 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in the Messiah Jesus and called to be saints”). Leo XIV sees a disconnect between the biblical view of sainthood as a universal calling and the Church’s hierarchical system, which may elevate an elite few while diminishing the spiritual dignity of ordinary Christians.
4. Leo XIV grapples with apostolic succession and the primacy of the Roman bishop. The Catholic Church teaches that the pope, as the successor of Peter, holds supreme authority, with bishops inheriting apostolic authority through an unbroken chain. However, scripture does not explicitly describe Peter as the infallible head of the Church. At the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15), James, not Peter, appears to provide the decisive judgment, and Paul’s writings emphasize scripture and the Holy Spirit as guides for the Church (Acts 20:28–32). Leo XIV begins to question whether the centralized, monarchical papacy aligns with the more collaborative leadership model seen in the early Church.
5. The corruption of the church and accumulation of wealth. The Catholic Church, historically a spiritual institution, has faced criticism for accumulating vast wealth, often at odds with its teachings of humility and charity, as seen in its opulent Vatican properties and global financial holdings estimated in the billions. This corruption is exemplified by practices like the sale of indulgences in the Middle Ages, which enriched the Church while exploiting the faithful, contradicting Jesus’ warning in Matthew 19:24 that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Critics argue that the Church’s focus on wealth accumulation, including its tax-exempt status and secretive banking operations, diverges from 1 Timothy 6:10, which states, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” Despite reforms, the tension between the Church’s material wealth and its spiritual mission remains a point of contention, challenging its alignment with Christ’s call in Luke 12:33 to “sell your possessions and give to the poor.”
6. The rosary and prayer to Mary Leo XIV abandons the practice of praying the rosary and venerating Mary, while common in some Christian traditions, is considered erroneous by many Protestants due to its lack of biblical support. Scripture emphasizes that prayer and worship should be directed to God alone, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:6 to pray to the Father. The Bible also presents Jesus as the sole mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5), negating the need for intercession through Mary. While Mary is honored as blessed (Luke 1:42), there is no scriptural basis for praying to her or attributing to her a role beyond her earthly life.
7. Leo XIV confronts the error of Purgatory The concept of purgatory, a supposed intermediate state after death for purification, lacks clear biblical support and contradicts core Christian teachings. Scripture affirms that salvation is by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), and upon death, believers are immediately with Christ (Philippians 1:23). Hebrews 9:27 states that after death comes judgment, not a secondary purification process. Leo realizes the doctrine of purgatory, therefore, undermines the sufficiency of Christ’s atoning sacrifice (1 John 2:2).
8. Transubstantiation, the Roman Catholic doctrine that the bread and wine of the Eucharist become the literal body and blood of Christ, is now considered erroneous by Leo because it misinterprets the symbolic nature of the Lord’s Supper. Jesus’ words in John 6:53-56, often cited to support transubstantiation, are better understood metaphorically, as He clarifies in John 6:63 that “the Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.” Similarly, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 describes the bread and wine as a remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice, not a transformation into His physical substance. Leo argues that transubstantiation imposes a literalism that contradicts the spiritual and commemorative intent of the ordinance based on scripture.
9. Another area of tension arises with the Catholic practice of communion under one kind, where the laity typically receive only the bread during the Eucharist, while the wine is reserved for clergy. Historically, this practice was formalized at the Council of Constance in 1415, despite earlier popes like Leo I and Gelasius condemning the withholding of the cup. Scripture, however, records Jesus instructing all disciples to “drink from it, all of you” (Matthew 26:27) and Paul emphasizing that all should partake of both bread and cup (1 Corinthians 11:23–28). Leo XIV wonders if this practice, rooted in medieval logistics and clericalism, contradicts the communal inclusivity of the Lord’s Supper as described in the New Testament. In many parishes, especially for large congregations or during times like the COVID-19 pandemic, communion under one kind is often the norm for practical or health reasons. However, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM 281–287) encourages offering both kinds when feasible, particularly at smaller gatherings or special liturgies, as it more fully signifies the Eucharistic banquet. Local bishops ultimately decide based on circumstances.
10. Leo XIV faces the reality of error in overemphasizing the role of priests as mediators between God and humanity, potentially diminishing the direct access believers have through Jesus. Scripture, such as 1 Timothy 2:5, states, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man the Messiah Jesus,” highlighting Jesus as the sole intermediary. The Church’s historical reliance on priests for sacraments and forgiveness has sometimes led to abuses of power, contradicting Hebrews 4:16, which encourages believers to “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence.” The New Testament emphasizes the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9), suggesting a more communal and direct relationship with God.
11. The Catholic Church’s mandate of clerical celibacy, rooted in tradition rather than explicit biblical command, has been criticized as a contributing factor to moral and institutional errors, including the clergy abuse scandals. Leo realizes that while the Church cites 1 Corinthians 7:32-33 to support celibacy, emphasizing an undivided focus on God, Leo understands this overlooks Matthew 19:12, where Jesus describes celibacy as a voluntary calling “for those to whom it has been given,” not a universal requirement. Leo decides to stop enforced celibacy in that it can foster psychological strain and secrecy, potentially exacerbating deviant behavior among clergy. Leo realizes that reforming this policy will align more closely with scripture and address systemic issues, promoting healthier vocations.
12. Leo decides to tackle the Catholic Church’s process of annulment, which declares a marriage null and void. Leo sees this as misaligning with biblical teachings on marriage’s indissolubility, as Jesus states, “What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate” (Matthew 19:6). Annulments, often granted on grounds like psychological incapacity, are exploited as a loophole for divorce, undermining the sacrament’s permanence. Leo bans the practice of annulments.
13. Time is on Leo’s side. He is 55 when selected as Pope. The average age of popes at election (last 100 years): Approximately 68.6 years. Average age at death: Approximately 82.7 years. Given this Leo calculates he has plenty of time to make significant changes. While moving somewhat careful at first, the pace of change picks up and accelerates.
14. These realizations do not lead Leo XIV to reject Catholicism outright but lead rather to a profound spiritual crisis. He recognizes that the Church’s doctrines, while rooted in tradition and often defended as developments of divine revelation, actually stray from the simplicity and clarity of scripture. As a man of faith, he feels called to bridge this gap, not by dismantling the Church but by guiding it toward a renewed alignment with God’s word. Again, he must bring change to 406,996 Priests, 5,600 Bishops and 252 Cardinals to embrace this scriptural change.

Navigating Change: A Pope’s Vision for Reform – For Pope Leo XIV, navigating change in the Catholic Church is a delicate and daunting task. The Church is an institution of immense historical weight, with doctrines and practices entrenched over centuries. Yet, as a leader guided by both scripture and the Holy Spirit, he envisions a path of reform that addresses contradictions and fostering a scripture-centered faith. His approach is multifaceted, blending theological reflection, pastoral sensitivity, and strategic leadership.

1. Returning to Scripture as a Guiding Light – Leo XIV begins by emphasizing scripture as the foundation of Catholic teaching, echoing the Second Vatican Council’s Dei Verbum, which, in error, affirms that scripture and tradition together transmit divine revelation. He commissions a global synod to study areas where Catholic doctrine may diverge from biblical teachings, inviting theologians, biblical scholars, and laypeople to participate. This synod examines issues like communion practices, sainthood, and the structure of Church authority, seeking to align them with scripture without undermining the Church’s unity. For example, he proposes restoring communion under both kinds as the norm for all Catholics, citing Jesus’ clear instruction in Matthew 26:27. While acknowledging the logistical challenges that led to the medieval restriction, he argues that modern churches can overcome these barriers, making the Eucharist a more inclusive act of communal worship. Such a change would require careful catechesis to educate the faithful but could revitalize the sacramental experience. Abandoning transubstantiation will require courage. Leo recognizes that what seems impossible is not when the power the Holy Spirit is the driving force.
2. Reforming the Understanding of Infallibility – On papal infallibility, Leo XIV treads carefully, aware that questioning this dogma could provoke resistance from traditionalists. He clarifies its scope, insisting that scripture alone is infallible. He encourages a broader understanding of infallibility as shared with the entire Church, particularly through ecumenical councils, as taught by Vatican II (Lumen Gentium 25). By decentralizing the focus on the pope’s authority, he seeks to foster a more collaborative model of Church governance, where bishops and the faithful play active roles in discerning truth. He supports the biblical principal that we are a kingdom of priests.
3. Redefining Sainthood – To address the exclusivity of sainthood, Leo XIV introduces a pastoral initiative to recognize the “sainthood of all believers,” inspired by 1 Corinthians 1:2. He does not support maintaining the canonization process for exceptional figures, he encourages parishes to celebrate the holiness of ordinary followers of Jesus through community recognitions. This shift aims to empower the laity, affirming their spiritual dignity and aligning the Church’s language with scripture’s inclusive vision.
4. Decentralizing Authority – Recognizing the scriptural emphasis on collaborative leadership, Leo XIV advocates for greater synodality—a model where bishops, clergy, and laity share in decision-making. He creates regional councils to address local issues while maintaining unity under scriptures universal primacy. This approach reflects the early Church’s model, where leaders like James and Paul worked alongside Peter in mutual accountability.
5. Engaging with Dissent and Dialogue – Leo XIV knows that reform will face opposition, both from traditionalists who fear erosion of doctrine and progressives who demand rapid change. He adopts a posture of listening, inspired by an emphasis on dialogue. He establishes forums for open discussion, inviting critics to share their concerns while grounding all debates in scripture and prayer. By fostering transparency, he hopes to rebuild trust in the Church’s leadership and demonstrate that reform is not a rejection of faith but a return to its biblical roots.
6. Pastoral Accompaniment and Change – Understanding that changes could fracture the Church, Leo XIV embraces a thoughtful approach, prioritizing pastoral accompaniment. He encourages priests to teach scripture prominently in homilies, helping the faithful understand the biblical basis for reforms. He also issues encyclicals that frame change as a development of doctrine, following John Henry Newman’s principle that doctrine evolves to deepen understanding without contradicting it is the truth of scripture.
7. Addressing Historical Contradictions – Leo XIV acknowledges historical instances where popes or councils appeared to contradict each other, such as the suppression and restoration of the Jesuits or shifts in teachings on salvation outside the Church. He commissions a historical-theological study to clarify these tensions, emphasizing that contradictions often arise from context-specific decisions rather than dogmatic errors. By promoting a nuanced understanding of Church history, he looks to reassure the faithful that reform is part of the Church’s ongoing journey toward truth of scripture.

Challenges and Hope for the Future – Pope Leo XIV’s vision is not without challenges. Traditionalists will accuse him of undermining Catholic identity, while skeptics may argue that his reforms do not go far enough. The global diversity of the Church means that changes welcomed in one region may face resistance in another. Moreover, the institutional inertia of the Vatican, with its complex bureaucracy, could slow progress. He must bring change to 406,996 Priests, 5,600 Bishops and 252 Cardinals to embrace this scriptural challenge.

Yet, Leo XIV draws hope from scripture’s promise in John 16:13: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” He believes that the Holy Spirit, working through the Church’s collective discernment, will guide his efforts. By rooting his reforms in scripture and the power of the Holy Spirit, fostering dialogue, and empowering the faithful, he aims to create a Church that is both faithful to Jesus, scripture and responsive to God’s Kingdom.

His pontificate becomes a testament to the power of humble leadership. In his first encyclical, he writes, “The Church is not a museum of unchanging relics but a living body, nourished by the Word of God and called to grow in holiness.” Through prayer, study, and courage, Pope Leo XIV seeks to lead the Catholic Church into a new era—one where faithfulness to Jesus and scripture is the central focus and tradition not overruling scripture, and the faithful are united in their shared pursuit of God’s truth.

The bottom line: The election of a new pope is a moment of profound significance, not only for Catholics but for the world. For Pope Leo XIV, the conclave is just the beginning of a transformative journey. As he confronts contradictions between Catholic doctrine and scripture, he embraces his role as a servant-leader, guided by the Holy Spirit to foster renewal. His path is fraught with challenges, but his commitment to scripture, dialogue, and reform offers hope for a Church that can become vibrant, inclusive, and true to its biblical roots. In a world yearning for authenticity, his pontificate stands as a beacon of faith, reminding us that change, when rooted in God’s word, is a sacred calling.