Topic:  Are popes chosen at certain ages?

Source of this posting: Moderator response

Date originally posted: May 16, 2005

Moderator who originally posted this source: Fr. Greg Spencer

Question:  I know that our pope just died, but how come when they chose the next pope they chose one that is really old? Why don't they have a young Pope?

Answer: 

Dear Kaitlin,
The Church has actually had a pope elected at age 18, Pope John XII (955-964 AD). He is considered the youngest pope ever. If age is any indication why we don't have young popes, you should read his history, as he was considered one of the worst popes we ever had. Although age really has nothing to do with the election of a pope, usually popes have some age to them because they are wiser and more mature when it comes to matters of faith.