Catholics Must Refuse to Accept a Public Heretic As Pope: Here’s Why, by Matthew McCusker

By Matthew McCusker, LifeSiteNews, Feb 24, 2025

Note from LifeSiteNews: This article was endorsed by Bishop Joseph Strickland who wrote on X, “I emphatically urge all Catholics to prayerfully review this article as I believe it to be very important and extremely  pertinent at this time in the Church. LifeSiteNews has done an excellent job in preparing this introduction to an outline of the Cardinals and their positions, and this introduction will be invaluable as far as a guide in assessing that information and in preparing the faithful for the next conclave. I would state also that, not only is this article useful in understanding what is to come, but it also will give much needed clarification regarding many things that have already occurred.”

This Church has had an unbroken line of succession from Peter himself; these legitimate pontiffs are the heirs and defenders of the same teaching, rank, office and power. And the Church is where Peter is, and Peter speaks in the Roman Pontiff, living at all times in his successors and making judgment, providing the truth of the faith to those who seek it. The divine words therefore mean what this Roman See of the most blessed Peter holds and has held.

The papacy is not a plaything that can be passed between ‘liberal’ and ‘conservative’ factions every time there is an election. Only men who fulfill the criteria that Our Lord established can ever occupy it. The pope must be Catholic. The pope is always Catholic.

For this mother and teacher of all the churches has always preserved entire and unharmed the faith entrusted to it by Christ the Lord. ~Pope Pius IX, Qui Pluribus, No. 10 -11

(LifeSiteNews) — LifeSiteNews recently reported that the health of Francis is feared to be worse than previously believed. This raises the possibility of a conclave in the near future. In any case, the day will come when the current college of cardinals will gather with the intention of electing a new pope.

There are many, coming from a variety of perspectives, who would deny or doubt that the present college has the capacity to carry out such an election. In this article, I wish to set aside those questions – as important as they are – and focus on the most important question of all – who is actually capable of being elected to the papacy. (For more detailed consideration of who can be legitimate electors see this article).

As a conclave approaches, there will be intense debate over the qualities the next pope should possess. Those who call themselves Catholic will be profoundly divided; opposing factions will each seek a pope after their own heart. Some will seek a “liberal” pope who will continue the radical revolution advanced by Francis, while others will long for a “conservative” pope who will turn the clock back to 2013, or some other period in the past. Some groups will focus on a candidate’s geopolitical vision, while others will emphasize his political views, moral conduct, liturgical preferences, and other defining qualities. …