The Caliphate Religious and Political Successor Explained

It is important to address what is a Caliphate so we know:

A caliphate (Arabic: خِلافة‎ khilāfa) is a form of Islamic government led by a caliph (Arabic: خَليفة‎ khalīfah pronunciation (help. · info))—a person considered a political and religious successor to the Islamic prophet, Muhammad (Muhammad ibn ʿAbdullāh), and a leader of the entire Muslim community. 

'During the history of Islam after the Rashidunperiod, many Muslim states, almost all of them hereditary monarchies, have claimed to be caliphates.^[1] Even though Caliphates were thought to go back to Muhammad, they were not thought of as having the same prophetic power as he did.'

'The Sunni branch of Islam stipulates that, as a head of state, a Caliph should be elected by Muslims or their representatives.^[4] Followers of Shia Islam, however, believe a Caliph should be an Imam chosen by God from the Ahl al-Bayt (the "Family of the House", Muhammad's direct descendants).'

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliphate

Peace be with you
Pauline Maria