The Papal Election process has been around for centuries. Though probably no where perfect in means of selecting a new Pope, it has served well with where it stands now. I believe that there are some things that can be changed about the whole process, in which I'll share with you.
As most of you know, it is only the Cardinals that are allowed to vote for the new Pope. Although this is a very good system, I believe as being a "Universal Church", that the 1.2 billion Catholics in this world should have some type of voice as to who will be representing them as the Church. Although the Cardinals do a great job of choosing Cardinals, as example pope John Paul II, but each and every Catholic should have some type of say.
Each Cardinal should have a vote in their respective areas, for the people. To send out the Bishops, and have them talk to the Priests, to bring it up to the people of the parishes. Although, understood that not everyone, or not even most people will know everything about every Cardinal, their voices should still be heard, even if not in a huge way.
With as much as the Church teaches to be trustworthy, and trying to bring people into the church, it seems that the Church does not, somehow, trust the opinion of the people, where not many decisions are given to the parishioners to decide on, or vote. The Church is being given money by most all families every week, so that we can support the Church, but it seems that we do not have a say as to who our leader will be. I believe that this is one big thing that can be changed about the Papal Elections. Although taking into consideration that the Catholic Church is not a "democracy" so to say, each Parishioner should have an input, even though the voice would not be as strong as th ...