Surprise skill you need to be the next Pope

Being Pope is no ordinary job and the CV requirements are utterly unique. Here’s a look at what it takes to be the next Pontiff.

David Mills

@DavidMills1972

2 min read

May 6, 2025 - 5:00AM

National News Network

Europe

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A man of a certain age – not too old, but maybe not that young either. A multilingual diplomat and a champion of justice. A theologian but also a charismatic leader.

Being Pope is no ordinary job and the CV requirements are utterly unique.

Looking at the past three Popes – Francis (2013-2025), Benedict XVI (2005-2013) and John Paul II (1978-2005) – a few similarities emerge, most notably their fluency in multiple languages.

John Paul II set the bar high with an incredible grasp of European languages: six from the west (English, Portuguese, Italian, French, Spanish and German) and five from the east (Polish, Slovak, Russian, Ukrainian and Serbo-Croatian).

Benedict XVI had mastery of Ancient Greek and Latin in addition to seven spoken tongues (German, English, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese and Ukrainian).

Francis was less known for his command of languages, but had some grasp of seven – Spanish, Italian, Latin, French, Portuguese, English, German and Ukrainian.

Pope Francis. Picture: Courtesy of ABC

Professor Darius von Guttner from the Australian Catholic University said proficiency in several languages was “critical” for a Pontiff, but Italian was essential, given it is the language of the Roman Curia and the Vatican staff.

Fluency in English is “also important”, but any Pope “would have many people to deliver his message in English, if he needs to,” he said.

The age of possible candidates will be another key consideration for the cardinals as they meet to elect the next pope.

John Paul II was 58 upon his election, while Benedict XVI was 78 and Francis was 76.

“When you elect a young man to an office that is held for life, that is almost a perpetual monarchy situation,” Prof von Guttner said.

“When they elect a young man to the papacy, they will expect a long pontificate; when they elect a slightly older man, that almost serves as a term of office,” he said.

While some commentators have made much of the fact that Pope Francis had appointed many Cardinals, and surmised that this meant they may share his more liberal views, Prof von Guttner said many of those same men had been made Bishops by Pope John Paul II.

While the Pontificate calls for a range of skills, Prof von Guttner said he believed the Conclave will be looking for a Pope who can “actually govern”.

“They will be looking for the person who is able to navigate the challenges of the Church, both with a fidelity to what the Roman Catholic Church is about, but also with courage.”

And the new Pope will need to embrace “everyone together” – progressives and conservatives alike, he said.

“They need to be a person, a man, an administrator and a pastor that is able to reach both wings. A person who is able to bring all Catholics into the fold. A Pope cannot be a Pope for just one section of his Church.”

THE PAST THREE POPES

Pope Francis

FILE – Pope Francis addresses the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, Sept. 25, 2015 at United Nations headquarters. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

Languages spoken: Spanish, Italian, Latin, French, Portuguese, English, German, Ukrainian

Age when became pope: 76

Nationality: Argentina

Year ordained: 1969

Year became cardinal: 2001