Pope succession: Why women continue to stay outside

<p> <strong> Pope succession: Why women continue to stay outside </strong> </p>

Why a woman is utopian in the pope election

The death of Pope Francis put the Catholic Church in a time of change. Despite these changes, the idea remains that a woman could become the head of the church, but in reality a utopia. Historically, the position of Pope was only reserved for men. This tradition is deeply rooted in Catholic teaching.

The process for the election of a new Pope, the so -called conclave, takes place exclusively by cardinals entitled to vote. These are usually men who have previously been ordained a priest - a prerequisite that is only open to men in the Catholic Church. This means that the possibility of choosing a woman as a Pope is practically excluded. Experts point out that the traditional structures of the church are strongly geared towards male authority.

Pope Francis has also clearly spoken out against the consecration of women to priests in the past. In an interview, he explained that the no to the consecration of women should not be understood as a disadvantage, but rather due to the distinction between the Petrinian and the Marian principle. The Petrinian principle describes the hierarchy of the church, while the Marian principle illuminates the role of women within the community of faith.

The continued discussion about the role of women in the church is also reflected in the broader society, where equality and inclusion are increasingly being challenged. Nevertheless, the experience shows that there are deeply anchored beliefs in the Catholic official structure that prevent a fundamental change in the existing traditions. Many observers agree that in the near future it is unlikely that something will change in this attitude of the church.

This means that it remains to be seen which male candidate will succeed Pope Francis. The Catholic Church stands at a historic turning point where the questions of equality and inclusion become essential. But until a woman can be seen in the position of the Pope, the path still seems wide and stony.