Holiness is the most important trait for the new Pope, says priest

The cardinals, during the 10th congregation of cardinals, discussed that the next Pope must be aware of current events, close to the people, and will act as a guide for the people experiencing the chaos of the world.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Maki Pulido on Wednesday, the Holy See Press Office discussed current world issues, wars, and environmental damage as part of their process to select the new Pope.

Vatican News reported that the rate of male individuals pursuing priesthood had gone down 0.2% in 2023, as compared to 2022.

“Posible na iniisip ng mga cardinals [kung] sino kaya sa mga candidates ang makaka-address nito… Depende ano ang nakikita nilang priorities kasi maraming pangangailangan ang mundo,” said Santa Rita de Cascia Parish priest Fr. Aris Sison.

(It’s possible that the cardinals are already thinking which of the candidates may address this… It depends on what they see are the priorities, because the world has a lot of issues to address.)

Sison also emphasized holiness as the most important trait the new Pope must have.

“The Pope is the vicar of Christ, the representative of Jesus Christ here on Earth… Kapag nakita mo siya, (When you see him,) you don’t only see a good person [and] a kind person, but it is very important for me that when we see the Pope, we see God,” he added.

Meanwhile, San Carlos Seminary professor Fr. Joseph Zaldivar voiced hope the next Pope would move not only for the Church, but for the world.

“That is not infidelity to the identity of the Church, because that is exactly what Jesus commanded the Church to be,” Zaldivar said. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/BAP, GMA Integrated News