If you believe the Eucharist is God then your probably Catholic. If your Catholic you believe the Holy Spirit chooses the Pope. I’m going to trust the Holy Spirit on this one.
I am not sure that the Holy Spirit was aware that there was an election. After all the last pope hasn’t checked in yet.
Just a theory.
I do not believe, as a Catholic, the Holy Spirit chooses the Pope.
I believe, instead, the Holy Spirit protects the Church through the Pope. Which may include striking him down with a lightning bolt if need be. Or anathematizing him posthumously at an Ecumenical Council (which actually happened to Honorius).
There is no Catholic teaching that says the Holy Spirit selects the Pope. The only protection given by the Holy Spirit is to ensure that no Pope destroys the Church. In the selection process, He inspires, but that inspiration may be rejected.
Last some Catholic told me was that the Holy Spirit didn't guide the College of Cardinals in selecting the pope.
Is there any official statement on the issue?
I oppose the first belief, as well as the second, while even the person who is now the Pope Emeritus said in 1997, when asked on Bavarian television whether or not the Spirit chooses the pope:
"I would not say so, in the sense that the Holy Spirit picks out the Pope. ... I would say that the Spirit does not exactly take control of the affair, but rather like a good educator, as it were, leaves us much space, much freedom, without entirely abandoning us. Thus the Spirit's role should be understood in a much more elastic sense, not that he dictates the candidate for whom one must vote. Probably the only assurance he offers is that the thing cannot be totally ruined."
"There are too many contrary instances of popes the Holy Spirit obviously would not have picked!" - http://ideas.time.com/2013/03/11/does-the-holy-spirit-choose-the-pope/
Why??? That's not what your religion teaches...