Recognizing a True Pope - Fr. William Jenkins 08-08-25

SummaryFr. William Jenkins addresses the question: “How will we know for certain when a true pope is elected?” He begins by clarifying that the question often assumes the election would come through the current modernist College of Cardinals, which is largely appointed by Francis and now Leo XIV, and thus cannot be trusted to produce a true Catholic pope. He notes that historically, the original method of papal election was by the clergy of Rome, centuries before the College of Cardinals existed—a method more in line with the Church’s earliest tradition and one that may become necessary again in a time of crisis.Fr. Jenkins stresses that before even asking how a pope is elected, we must ask how we will know if a man can possibly be a true pope. The first and non-negotiable criterion is that he professes and practices the Catholic Faith in its entirety. Such a man would openly reject modernism, condemn its heresies, idolatry, and moral corruption, and denounce those who have promoted them—including Francis, Leo XIV, and others. He would reject all post-Vatican II innovations, issue condemnations like a new “Syllabus of Errors,” and restore the traditional Catholic Faith and worship.Fr. Jenkins warns that superficial traditionalism—merely wearing traditional vestments, using Latin, or offering the new Mass in Latin—will deceive conservative Catholics who are satisfied with appearances. But true traditional Catholics will reject modernism in all its forms, no matter the language or external trappings, and will refuse to accept the new Mass under any form.He closes by noting the danger of compromise, especially among young people who avoid taking an uncompromising stand due to social ties or reluctance to endure hardship. Compromising with modernism destroys the virtue of faith and corrupts the Catholic religion in the soul. The only way forward is to hold the line without compromise.Key Quotes“The first criterion I have is that he has the Catholic faith… and lives the Catholic religion.”“He would have to condemn the heresies of the modernists… denounce those who brought these things in.”“Conservative Catholics just want the outward show of Catholic appearance… it’s superficial.”“Once you begin to compromise the Catholic faith with modernism, you destroy the virtue of faith in your soul.”“We just have to hold that line… and not fall victim to wishful thinking and compromise.”Key Points and Takeaways1. Election Process and Historical PrecedentThe College of Cardinals is a later development; originally, the clergy of Rome elected the pope.In a modernist-controlled Vatican, a valid election may require an irregular but legitimate process.2. Criteria for a True PopeMust profess and live the entire Catholic Faith.Must reject and condemn modernism in all its forms.Must denounce post-Vatican II heresies, idolatries, and moral corruption.Must reject modernist saints, false ecumenism, and the new Mass.3. Rejecting Superficial TraditionalismExternal forms (Latin, vestments) are not enough if modernism remains.The new Mass in any language is not the traditional Mass.4. Compromise as Spiritual PoisonConservative Catholics are often satisfied with appearances, not substance.Young people are especially tempted to compromise for social comfort.Any compromise with modernism corrupts the Faith and the soul.5. The Call to Uncompromising FidelityTrue Catholics must refuse all compromise with modernism.This requires clarity, courage, and readiness to endure hardship for the Faith.ConclusionFr. Jenkins teaches that identifying a true pope is less about procedure and more about principle: if a man does not completely reject modernism and restore the Faith, he is not the Vicar of Christ. The faithful must beware of accepting a “conservative” pope who keeps modernism dressed in traditional garb. True Catholics will not compromise, knowing that any concession to modernism destroys the Faith.Sedevacantist, Pre-Vatican II CommentaryFr. Jenkins’ answer aligns perfectly with the sedevacantist understanding that the post-Vatican II hierarchy is a counterfeit church. No man elected by the current modernist College of Cardinals could be pope unless he publicly renounced the false religion, anathematized its errors, and restored the Faith in its fullness.This standard excludes the “conservative” Novus Ordo figure who merely uses Latin or some traditional externals while keeping the new theology. Such superficiality is dangerous because it pacifies resistance and allows modernism to survive under a respectable mask. The requirement to denounce both the heresies and their authors is a safeguard against false shepherds.Finally, Fr. Jenkins’ warning about compromise recalls Pope St. Pius X’s teaching that modernists are the most dangerous enemies of the Church because they work from within. The faithful must be prepared to stand apart from compromised clergy and laity, endure social hardship, and hold to the unadulterated Catholic Faith until God restores the papacy.TrueCatholicFaith.com