The Catholic Church has long upheld the tradition that only men can be appointed as pope. This belief is rooted in Church teachings, doctrine, and the interpretation of the Bible.
According to the Church, Jesus Christ chose only men to be his apostles. Since the pope is considered a direct successor of the apostles, particularly Saint Peter, the Church holds that the role should remain with men.
One of the key documents that outlines this belief is a letter by Pope John Paul II, where he emphasized that while women play vital roles in the Church, the priesthood — and by extension, the papacy — is reserved for men. The Church maintains that this is not just tradition, but part of what Christ intended when he established the Church.
Canon Law, which governs Church operations, also supports this position. It states that only baptized men can be ordained as priests.
Since the pope must be a bishop, and only men can become priests, women are therefore excluded from the papacy.
While no woman has ever held the position of pope, the Church has made some progress in recognizing the leadership of women in other areas.
Pope Francis appointed women to high-level roles within the Vatican, including the Secretariat of State and the Synod of Bishops.
Despite growing calls for change, the official stance remains that the Church does not have the authority to ordain women. The role of the pope, being tied to apostolic succession and priesthood, continues to be seen as one meant for men only.
By Kenyans