Fantasy Conclave: Drafting a Saint for the Chair of Peter
With talk of a conclave on the horizon, a lot of Catholics are wondering: who’s next? But what if it could be a Saint from Catholic History, instead of present-day cardinal?
Yesterday I explained why it doesn’t matter who the next pope will be. And it doesn’t. But let’s try a little thought experiment. Ever wonder what it would be like if the Church could pick a pope from the communion of saints? I know it sounds like the setup for a Catholic version of “Fantasy Football,” but hear me out. The world today is a mess—morally, socially, spiritually—and the Church is trying to meet people where they are while still holding onto the truth. That’s no small task, even in the best of times. Across many years in evangelization I’ve found it to become vastly more difficult these days. So I started thinking: what if we could draft a pope from the past? Someone already proven, already holy, and already battle-tested? Three names jumped out right away—St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. Francis de Sales. All brilliant in different ways. All deeply in love with the truth. And all, I think, uniquely suited to speak to the challenges we’re facing right now.
Your [Super] Holiness!
So let’s get into this thought experiment. And chime in in the comments to let me know your thoughts. Each of these saints brought unique strengths and theological insights that could be relevant to today’s issues:
St. Augustine: Known for his deep philosophical and theological works, Augustine tackled issues like the nature of evil, the relationship between church and state, and the human condition. His emphasis on the “City of God” versus the “City of Man” could be the best guide for a playbook addressing modern societal and political tensions.
St. Thomas Aquinas: A master of integrating faith and reason, Aquinas’ philosophy could address contemporary issues where science, ethics, and religion can either intersect or collide. Aquinas’ theological system gives us direction on moral and social issues—which I think is sorely needed today, when morality is often shaped by abstract notions of truth and verified by emotional appeal rather than reason.
St. Francis de Sales: Known for his pastoral approach and emphasis on practical holiness, Francis de Sales’s gentle and compassionate approach to spirituality could resonate well in a time where inclusivity, mental and emotional health, and spirituality are key concerns, in and out of the Church. His focus on bringing faith into everyday life might appeal to a modern audience seeking practical guidance.
These three saints uniquely and powerfully offer something to our modern time that is desperately needed, namely: Truth, Reasoning, and Pastorship. I would equate Aquinas with St. Pope John Paul II, Augustine with Benedict XVI, and Francis DeSales with—you’ve probably already spotted it—Pope Francis. It’s interesting that these were the previous three popes because, in hindsight, you can see why their individual pontificates were so necessary. “Thank you, Holy Spirit!”
“He was a masterful communicator, had a practical approach to the orthodoxy and deep faith…”
Given that Cardinal electors are not likely to vote for a pope who’s dramatically different from his immediate predecessor, (See my Afterthoughts in yesterday’s article) I think Francis DeSales would be the likely favorite. He was a masterful communicator, had a practical approach to the orthodoxy and deep faith, and he’d likely approach the papacy from the perspective of a pastor—as Pope Francis did—rather than a theologian or doctrinal bulldog. Not that there’s anything wrong with theologians or doctrinal bulldogs, but I think the world is so far from the truth that those character types wouldn’t connect with the most people. You can’t rescue the lost sheep if they keep running and hiding from you because they think you’re a wolf.
Ultimately, Augustine, Aquinas, or would bring something valuable to the role of addressing contemporary issues. I could see reasons to favor Augustine or Aquinas over DeSales, but DeSales would be my choice. Who would you choose, if the choice was yours?
Chat Thread:
Share your thoughts, or respond to others’ ideas about who, from the communion of saints, would make a great pope for our times.
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There’s a lot of buzz in the Church these days. The buzz of cardinals whispering, the click of keyboards speculating, the flutter of faithful Catholics wondering: “Who will the next pope be?”