Article by Fr. Jean-François Thomas S.J. published on May 2, 2025 in France Catholique magazine. (Le choix du pape est-il « dicté » par le Saint-Esprit ?)
It is sometimes said that the Holy Spirit "makes" the election of the Pope. But God does not dictate decisions to men. He enlightens them, provided they are open to his action.
The Holy Spirit, at the heart of the Holy Trinity, is often mistreated by Christians, either because they ignore him or, on the contrary, because they tend to place under his seal acts that do not come from him. Much contemporary literature on the subject and many hazardous preachings risk maintaining confusion about the real role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the baptized and in the march of the Church. On the occasion of a future conclave, the most passionate and irrational statements sometimes take the place of just prudence and spiritual balance which have, since the beginning, been the characteristics of the Church.
The free will of the cardinals
Without any moderation, some do not hesitate to affirm that the pontifical election would descend directly from the Holy Spirit imposing himself on the cardinal electors without taking into account the exercise of their free will, their choices, their wise or erroneous opinions. The Pope is chosen by men who profess the Catholic faith but who are fallible in many aspects. This election is therefore not solely supernatural: it includes the human element, and the history of the holy Church shows us how powerful the human element was at times and won the day. God does not descend into the Sistine Chapel and does not inscribe in the hearts of the prelates a tablet on which would be written in gold letters the name of the Sovereign Pontiff.
The inspiration of the Holy Spirit is real, this since the Apostles, but it is not an elector member and does not deposit any ballot in the urn. It suffices to look at how Judas was replaced in the group of the Twelve. The Apostles, well guided by the Holy Spirit, begin by choosing themselves two men of good reputation, Barsabas the Just and Matthias. While praying, they used their reason and wisdom to define the talents and virtues hoped for in the new Apostle. In a second step, they entrusted themselves to divine Providence, and they drew lots, trusting in the sign sent by God, and Matthias was elected (Acts of the Apostles 1, 22-26).
"The stiff neck"
Note this harmony that is established between true Christian freedom and the work of the Holy Spirit. The latter does not twist anything, does not crush: it perfects, it enlightens, it gives the necessary graces so that the human choice is according to the divine plan. One must still be of good will, demonstrate flexibility and obedience, renounce one's own will. Otherwise, only the human, raw and without connection to the Creator, will have the last word. In its catechism, the Church has always taught that the gifts of the Holy Spirit support the Christian moral life and make man docile to follow, in a second step, the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. So nothing is ever won in advance because we know that we have, oh how much, a stiff neck and that we often dig in our heels to avoid moving in the direction nevertheless illuminated by the Holy Spirit, convinced that our knowledge knows better than God what we need. We forget that the Holy Spirit does not wish to make us slaves, to subdue us, but that he addresses us as trusting children.
The docility of the Apostles
It is impressive to note how docile the Apostles were without being muzzled. After Pentecost, they allowed themselves to be directed in everything, without losing their energy and their diverse characters: the Holy Spirit reveals to Peter what to say and do to evangelize the Gentiles; he sends the newly converted Paul to preach Christ unto martyrdom; he traces the itinerary of apostolic journeys; he prevents Paul and Timothy from continuing their preaching in Asia; of course he directs, guides, advises at the time of the first council in Jerusalem; he establishes the bishops of the first communities, etc.
What is true of this constant presence of the Holy Spirit at the origins of the Church is still valid today: the Holy Spirit is present, active, inspiring, provided that man is open to his action. We feel, at least at certain moments, how effective the work of sanctification he performs is because it is he who plants divine love in our hearts: "The love of God is poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us," says Saint Paul (Romans 5, 5). And again, the same Apostle: "Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3, 16). Certainly we are reluctant, but sometimes we bow with good grace.
Supernatural perspective
The cardinals are made of the same dough as any other Christian. They know identical struggles and a conclave is not a miraculous parenthesis from which would suddenly disappear the lack of generosity towards the Holy Spirit. In the Sistine Chapel, all feelings mingle, all temptations, all human ambitions, and mix with virtues, with humility and with obedience to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. This is why it is necessary for each faithful to pray and offer sacrifices so that the momentum that carries it is the one conforming to the will of God and not to strictly human and political plans.
The Holy Spirit, guiding all intelligence, teaches us to judge things from the point of view of eternity and not only by considering things mired in time. This supernatural perspective is one that inhabits every man desirous of corresponding to what God expects of him. Let us be confident, without being naive: the men of the Church most rebellious to his action can, they too, be touched, turned around, overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit. As Saint Peter writes: "Cast all your anxieties on the Holy Spirit, for he himself cares for you" (1 Peter 5, 7). During the opening and unfolding of the conclave, let us remember this special care that the Holy Spirit reserves for his servants.
