How and when a Pope can be removed 

The processes involved in the election of a Pope following the death of the incumbent or removal is intricate.

While the world celebrate the emergence of a brand new Pope, Leo XIV following the death of Pope Francis, the Reliant Nigeria News has reviewed context in which a Pope can be removed as the global head of the Catholic Church.

Record shows that there is no formalized or legalized procedure for o the removal of a Pope from his office except the Pope desires to resign from his position.

Record shows that Pope Benedict XVI did resign from his position as the global leader of the Catholic church.

While there is no globally known procedure for the removal of a Pope, history shows the ecumenical council is vested with the power to depose a Pope. However, the power to assemble the members of the ecumenical council lies with the Pope; this stands as a strong reflection of the symbolic position of the Pope and the power that is inherent in his position both sacred and secular.

Furthermore, the Pope as applicable to any other secular position, can be ousted from his office through external military force or state forceful interference; considerably, the is within the context of illegality and usurpation of sovereign power because the Pope is the sacred and secular head of the Vatican.

Recall that Pope Pius XII is reported to have written his resignation in eventuality of Hitler’s capture.

In a context the Pope backslides in his faith in Christianity or converts to another religion other than his Christian faith, he is by virtue of his renouncing Christianity, to cease to be the Pope of the Catholic church.

If a Pope becomes heretic– that’s promoting doctrines that are contrary to the Christian faith; doctrines such as the trinity, the Pope will be tried by the Ecumenical council and if found guilty of heresy by the council, he will be removed from his position. However, this context is not backed or supported by any Canon law.

There is no also formalized condition for the resignation of a Pope on health ground or if found incapacitated to discharge his duties or a stipulated number of years he is to remain a Pope as his position is not tenured.

Summarily, the removal of a Pope is basically subjected to his decision to resign and when he dies.