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Dear Father Angelo,

I wish you a good day and a good journey through Advent (2017). I would like to ask you a few questions, out of curiosity, without them sounding “pharisaical” or provocative.

– I have read an article that has left me with some doubts. It was about apostolic succession. According to the writer, the apostolic succession is not a guarantee of the authenticity of the Doctrine because the apostolic succession is claimed by the Orthodox Christians as well, and they differ from the Roman Catholics on some dogmas. Hence the logical impossibility of supporting the principle that apostolic succession is a guarantee of genuine Doctrine.

– Is it true that the only two necessary conditions to become Pope are being a MAN and being BAPTIZED? If this is the case, at least theoretically, could a married Pope be elected as well? And, even on a more abstract and theoretical level, could a baptized man of another confession (an Orthodox Christian for example) be elected Pope? Could this be a way to mend the schism in the future?

– Still about the Pope. Times change, the average age is rising and medical conditions that are widespread today were unknown in the past. What would happen if the Pope becomes incapacitated due to an illness? (God forbid!) Is there an authority, a body that can assess the health status of the Pope and possibly declare a sick Pope unfit? This is not a provocation, I guarantee. I do pray for the Pope’s good health. It is just a matter of curiosity. Since I have worked with the elderly, I wonder what would happen if a Pope suffers from Alzheimer’s disease or is unconscious for a long period of time (due to a coma, a persistent vegetative state, etc).

Thank you for your patience and your time.

I pray for you and sometimes I order a Mass for you and your Dominican family.

I wish you the best.

Dear,

I will keep it brief in answering your questions.

1. Answer to the first question: the apostolic succession is not a guarantee of truth, rather it is a guarantee of the validity of the sacraments.

The guarantee of truth lies in the communion with Peter.

For example: the Orthodox and the Lefebvrian Christians have the apostolic succession but they are not in communion with Peter. Therefore they might make mistakes in matters of Doctrine.

2. Answer to the second question: theoretically any baptized man can be elected Pope, even if he is married.

The only condition is that, at the moment of his election, he is a Bishop. If he is not, he immediately needs to receive the episcopal character through consecration (Code of Canon Law, 332, §1).

You also ask if a non-Catholic can be elected Pope.

Theoretically, he has to be baptized.

But, besides baptism, other conditions they can be easily inferred from common sense need to be fulfilled: if someone is heretic or schismatic, how can he confirm Catholics in the faith?

As you can see, one thing is theory (or rather fictional theory) and another thing is practice.

I said that, in theory, even a married and baptized man can be elected Pope.

But the Church discipline requires him to be unmarried too, like every Bishop.

3. Answer to the third question: up to this point, it has never happened that a Pope has become mentally ill.

I am sure that Jesus Christ will prevent that from happening until the end of time, just as He has been doing so far.

We cannot judge the Church in the same way as we judge all other things.

It is a matter of faith that the Church is founded and is assisted in teaching de fide vel de moribus (in the field of faith or morals) by God.

Jesus did not speak in vain when He told Peter that Hell will never prevail over it (non prevalebunt).

4. I am very glad of your initiative of ordering a Mass for me and my Dominican family.

It is the greatest gift you can offer us.

Our Saints in Heaven will reward you plentifully.

I also appreciate your prayer for me.

I will give back to you such kindness with extreme pleasure.

This evening I will remember you during the Mass and then also in my prayers.

I bless you.

Father Angelo

Translated by Chiara Midea