"As far as the Catholic Church goes, we are the only church to trace apostolic succession to our lord and savior Jesus Christ."
How can it be called "succession" when the next Pope is elected by a bunch of Cardinals from elsewhere after the Pope dies?
Succession would be the passing away Pope laying his hands on or otherwise selecting and/or annointing a successor.
"How can it be called "succession" when the next Pope is elected by a bunch of Cardinals from elsewhere after the Pope dies? "
Because every pope that is selected is the one that God wants selected, that's why they conclave, they wait for the Holy Spirit to fill them with the spirit so they can make the choice the Lord wants.
That's too literal. All Catholic bishops (the Pope being the highest ranked) received this laying on of hands when they became bishops. Three different bishops lay their hands on the new bishop, show apostolic sucession is ensured.