As the Church gears up for another papal conclave (for at least the 267th time in the past 2000 years), just a quick public service announcement: the Holy Ghost does NOT pick the pope.

In my years teaching, countless students have been under the wrong impression that the cardinals in conclave are filled with the Holy Ghost, and that they cannot but help elect a God-ordained pope. I have no idea where this false belief originates, but it is untrue. We know this is a lie at worst, and a misunderstanding at best, because Jesus Himself warns that false shepherds and teachers will arise (Mt 7:15), and not because of His will, but the wayward wills of imperfect leaders.

Cardinals, all Christians, all humans for that matter, have free will to follow God’s guidance, or their own sinful whims. The conclave is no different: the cardinals have all the graces to choose accordingly with God’s will, or not. The storied record of erroneous and evil popes in the Church clearly shows the Holy Ghost is not always obeyed by the cardinal electors, and not always obeyed by the pope (to their great danger and our great harm).

Now with that said, let’s pray for Francis’ soul, and for the cardinals headed into conclave (on May 7, 2025) to elect Francis’ successor. The Church and the world needs the future pope to be virtuous, powerful, and faithful to Christ. Some helpful prayers to use:

Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke’s (click link for different language versions, including Latin)

I kneel before you, O Virgin Mother of God, Our Lady of Guadalupe, the compassionate mother of all who love you, cry to you, seek you, and trust in you. I plead for the Church at a time of great trial and danger for her. As you came to the rescue of the Church at Tepeyac in 1531, please intercede for the Sacred College of Cardinals gathered in Rome to elect the Successor of Saint Peter, Vicar of Christ, Shepherd of the Universal Church.

At this tumultuous time for the Church and for the world, plead with your Divine Son that the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, His Mystical Body, will humbly obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Through your intercession, may they choose the most worthy man to be Christ’s Vicar on earth. With you, I place all my trust in Him Who alone is our help and salvation. Amen.

Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in Thee, have mercy upon us!

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Virgin Mother of God and Mother of Divine Grace, pray for us!

Bishop Athanasius Schneider’s:

Prayer for Imploring Holy Popes 

Kyrie Eleison! Christe Eleison! Kyrie Eleison! Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Good Shepherd! With your almighty hand you guide Your pilgrim Church through the storms of each age.

Adorn the Holy See with holy popes who neither fear the powerful of this world nor compromise with the spirit of the age, but preserve, strengthen, and defend the Catholic Faith unto the shedding of their blood, and observe, protect, and hand on the venerable liturgy of the Roman Church.

O Lord, return to us through holy popes who, inflamed with the zeal of the Apostles, proclaim to the whole world: “Salvation is found in no other than in Jesus Christ. For there is no other name under heaven given to men by which they should be saved” (see Acts 4:10-12).

Through an era of holy popes, may the Holy See — which is home to all who promote the Catholic and Apostolic Faith —  always shine as the cathedra of truth for the whole world. Hear us, O Lord, and through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of the Church, grant us holy popes, grant us many holy popes! Have mercy on us and hear us! Amen.