Why Pray for the Election of a New Pope?
The world’s eyes were on Vatican City last week, on Pope Francis’s death, and will be next week, on electing the new Pope.
Why is it so important to pray for this?
The Vatican is the smallest sovereign state in the world, both by area and by population (121 acres and 501 citizens among 800 Residents)! Yet it influences 1.4 Billion People in the world!
It is synonymous with the ‘Pope,’ who is the head of one of the largest religious groups in the World and also is the global headquarters for the Catholic Church.
The Roman Catholic Church consists of 1.4 Billion People; that is about 17.7% of the World’s population and over half of the global Christian population. It has over 410,000 Priests and 60,000 Deacons, and 110,000 Seminarians globally, and is considered one of the most powerful and organized institutions in the World.
Regarding the Mission of God and fulfilling the Great Commission, the Catholic Church would be the world’s most resourceful and strategic institution.
Therefore, the election of the next Pope will be crucial for the future mission of God for both the Church and the World.
Why the Roman Catholic Church?
The Pope and the Vatican exert a significant religious, social, political, and economic influence over the religious and secular world. The late Pope Francis’ vision for the Church was to focus on the external world, and he had a significant impact on the world as he travelled to 68 countries and influenced the Catholic church in the Global South by appointing many Cardinals from those regions.
Next week, the 135 Cardinals will decide in the ‘Conclave’ from May 7th on two major ideologies represented by the new Pope: being progressive or conservative; being liberal in outlook or preserving orthodoxy and tradition.
Another major factor is whether the centre of Catholicism will shift to the Global South or remain mainly European. There are more Cardinals from Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania at this conclave than before, who can be elected as Pope, or strongly influence the outcome. Pope Francis himself appointed over 110 Cardinals from these nations during his 12-year tenure.
Human or Divine Choice? Will the Holy Spirit be Present?
One Catholic news editorial notes:
“Around the world, and especially within the shadowed corridors of the Vatican, human forces will try to shape the outcome of the papal election. That is to be expected. Conclaves, for all their ritual and spiritual mystique, are still human affairs. Cardinals read the mood of the church. They form alliances. Some whisper. Some manoeuvre. Some conspire. Some retreat to pray.
The history of papal elections is filled with politics, strategy, and intrigue. None of this is new.
However, we would be naive to imagine that the Holy Spirit is absent from the process, too fragile to endure the rough handling of human hands.”
Therefore, just as we would pray for elections of government in a Nation, praying for the election of the Pope must be earnest since it impacts not only the 1.4 billion people but also the Mission of God on earth.
‘While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ‘
Acts 13:2
Why is the Mission of the Roman Catholic Church important?
There is lot of controversy and debate over how the Catholic Church functions today. While we do not agree with the traditions and practices of the Catholic Church which are not Biblical, it must be noted that right throughout history, God used the Roman Catholic church to preserve, progress, and proclaim the fundamental doctrines of Christianity for nearly two thousand years.
The cardinal doctrines of Christianity, such as the Trinity, Christ’s humanity and Divinity, Christ’s ministry and sacrifice, His resurrection, the Holy Spirit, and the inspiration of Scriptures, were preserved by the Catholic Church throughout the darkest ages of history. Even the Reformation and the Protestant Church were founded on these doctrines, which the Catholic Church preserved uncompromisingly. It must be noted that most of the liberal teachings and practices common today originated from major Protestant denominations and not the Catholic Church! While there had been considerable compromise by these denominations, the Sanctity of life, marriage, and family, which are fundamental for society, have been protected by the Roman Catholic church!
“In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ- He is Lord of all”
Acts 10:34-36
The Roman Catholic Church and Missions.
While Catholics may not have a similar outlook on the Mission of God like we do, they have contributed greatly to Missions, especially before the Modern Missionary movement began over 200 years ago. They greatly impacted the World in the progress of education, health, social justice, freedom, and the upliftment of the value of life.
At the end of the last millennium, in November 1994, Pope John Paul II promulgated an Apostolic Letter, Tertio Millennio adveniente, focusing on the underlying theme of evangelization on preparation for the Jubilee of the Year 2000. The Evangelicals, too, followed, focusing on the AD 2000 movement in Missions. Catholics grew from 1 Billion in 2000 to 1.4 Billion today. Growth of 400 million!
Although majority are by biological growth, a good number of conversions and Christianization have happened.
Ten years ago, Pope Francis issued his first extensive work, “Evangelii Gaudium” (“The Joy of the Gospel”), a document that laid out his vision for how the Catholic Church should evangelize the modern world.
He, too, expressed a Vision for 2033, the 2000th anniversary of Christ’s death and resurrection, centering around a ‘Missionary Church.’ He noted that “Evangelization is the ‘oxygen’ of Christian life,” encouraging that “the church does not proselytize, but rather she grows by ‘attraction’ to the beauty of God’s love.”
| GROWTH OF CATHOLICS: | ||||
| 1900 | 1970 | 2000 | 2025 | |
| Catholics | 265 | 656 | 1,024 | 1,400 |
| Protestants | 134 | 251 | 429 | 628 |
| Evangelicals | 80 | 108 | 270 | 420 |
| Pentecostal | 0.9 | 57 | 442 | 623 |
Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth.
Numbers 14:21
Pray for the Election of the New Pope.
Considering the above, we realize that this is matter that requires serious and earnest prayer.
Surely it should require more attention and prayer more than our urgent church ministry needs, or our plans and strategies since there is much at stake for the Kingdom!
There are many forces and powers influencing the election of the Pope, especially, liberal and left ideologies that want to take the Church away from its conservatism and the Mission of the Gospel. There are also political forces and government who seek to weaken the power of the Church.
Therefore, we encourage you to pray this coming week for God’s appointment to the Catholic Church to be selected.
‘‘And when a man dedicates his house to be holy to the Lord , then the priest shall set a value for it, whether it is good or bad; as the priest values it, so it shall stand. ‘
Leviticus 27:14
Pray:
- There will be peace and clarity among Cardinals participating in the conclave and a spirit of unity and oneness, desiring to exalt Jesus, will prevail.
- Pray that external influences will not divert the Church from its purpose and Mission.
- For Cardinals to decide to preserve and uphold the Biblical fundamental truths and values in the future of the Church.
- That God will raise a Pope who will be committed to the Great Commission.
- Pray that Catholics worldwide experience a fresh renewal of faith, practice, and desire for the Word of God.
- That God would revive the Charismatic Movement within the Catholic Church.
- That the 1.4 billion Catholics around the world will seek this opportunity to draw closer to God and to exalt Jesus in their lives.
- That God will raise a Pope who will mobilize the enormous resources of people, finances, power and properties in the Catholic church to become missional to complete the Great Commission.
(Editor’s Note: While we respect differing views about the Roman Catholic church, the information in this post are for purely for purpose of intercession and Missions, not for doctrinal or other purposes.)
Sources:
The Pew Research.
World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed January 2025),
The Vatican Jubilee Year document.
Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life.
Apostolic Exhortation – EVANGELII GAUDIUM
pic Sources: Reuters, Getty images.