The Designation of the Pope

Abstract

Choosing a new head of the Catholic Church is a very complex and scientifically complicated topic. Historians study the circumstances of the election of popes, search for motivations and behind-the-scenes pressure within the conclave, and deal with the extent to which secular powers interfere with the freedom and autonomy of elections. What has remained at the margin of interest, however, are the actual principles for selecting the Bishop of Rome. Although we have regarded electoral competition as the only acceptable and traditional method, the history of the church offers numerous contrary examples. We are speaking mainly of so-called papal designation, which refers to the prior determination of a specific candidate for the papal office during the lifetime of the current pope. This study both concentrates on mapping the historical developments in this area, and reflects on the legal aspects of the issue and interpretative perspectives on the designation.