As the Vatican prepares for the conclave following the death of Pope Francis, Cardinal Timothy Dolan offered a fascinating glimpse into the process of selecting a new pope. While many imagine politics and power plays, Dolan reminded us that the decision is not about human ambition—but divine guidance.

“Prayer is extraordinarily important,” Dolan said, recalling a powerful moment during the 2013 conclave. “A wonderful Franciscan preacher said, ‘Eminences, you’re all scared because you have a tough job to elect the next pope. … Let me put your mind at ease. It’s easy. The Holy Spirit has already chosen the next pope. Your job is to find out who it is’.”

This profound statement echoes biblical truth. The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 13:1, “For there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are appointed by God.”

That doesn’t mean people are puppets. As Dolan also noted, there’s a human element involved. “Grace… builds on nature,” he said, meaning the power of the Holy Spirit flows through people who must choose to yield to Him.

But therein lies the tension: God gives humanity free will. From the Garden of Eden to today’s global stage, we’ve been granted the ability to choose—life or death, truth or deception, God or the world. The cardinals may seek the Spirit’s guidance, but they are still men, capable of obedience—or error.

That’s why even with God’s hand on history, we must understand that we’re still barreling toward the fulfillment of Revelation. Prophecies will come to pass—not because God overrides our choices, but because in our pride, rebellion, and spiritual blindness, we chose the path that leads to judgment.

“The Holy Spirit has already chosen,” the preacher said. But the question is, are we listening?

Do you believe the next pope will lead the church closer to God—or further into the world’s system?

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