stray bullet said:We agree on who actually ordains the person- which is the Holy Spirit. Without Him, nothing would happen. In the cases of selecting a pope, Catholics also believe it is through the will of God- that God chooses and ordains the pope through the Holy Spirit.
However, there is the actual issue of publicly recognizing these ordinations- which is done by laying of the hands on the person, etc. The Holy Spirit works through these men, so there is clear and concise authority.
"Execution by secular authorities had finally and officially become papal policy. Under Gregory, the Inquisition as a church institution was practically completed, and the new orders of friars, especially Dominicians, had become the favored papl agents of the Inquisition. The finishing touches were supplied by Pope Innocent IV who, in the bull Ad extirpanda (12520, incorporated all earlier papal statements about the organization of the Inquisition, as well as condoning the use of torture." ( Introduction the the History of Early Christianity, edited by Tim Dowley)
The fruit of the Spirit is love, patience, hope, self-control, etc., not murder. So no, many popes did not have the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes from God, not from a vote by men. :roll: