Yes, there have been instances where a person elected as Pope was not a priest at the time of their election. While it is rare, particularly in more recent history, it was not always a disqualifier.
Historical Context of Papal Elections
Historically, the requirements for becoming Pope have evolved. In earlier centuries, it was not strictly necessary for a candidate to be an ordained priest or even a bishop at the moment of their election. The key was that they were a baptized Catholic male. However, a crucial step always followed such an election: any individual chosen who was not already a priest or bishop would need to receive the necessary ordinations—first as a deacon, then a priest, and finally a bishop—before they could formally assume the papal office and its duties.
Pope Leo X: A Notable Example
A significant and relatively recent example of a Pope who was not a priest when elected is Leo X, who served from 1513 to 1521.
- Election Status: Giovanni de' Medici, who became Pope Leo X, was a cardinal but only a deacon when he was elected to the papacy. He was not yet a priest.
- Ordination Before Office: In line with tradition, he quickly underwent the necessary ordinations. He was ordained a priest on March 15, 1513, consecrated as a bishop on March 17, 1513, and then enthroned as Pope on March 19, 1513. This sequence ensured he fulfilled the sacramental requirements before officially taking office.
This practice highlights that while the election conferred the office, the sacramental orders were a prerequisite for its full exercise. Today, it is standard for cardinals, who are the electors of the Pope, to already be bishops, and thus priests.
For more information on the history of the papacy and papal elections, you can refer to resources like the Catholic Encyclopedia.
