2006-09-02 12:56:05 · 7 answers · asked by Ejsenstejn 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
I think the main reason was that the College of Cardinals was mostly Italian for centuries, and they elected one of their own.
I also think it was Pope John XXIII, successor (?) to Pius XII, who started expanding the College of Cardinals, and that trend was continued by Paul VI.
By the time Paul VI died, the make-up of the College was considerably more diverse than it had been under Pius XII.
Non-Italians, being in the majority, began electing non-Italian popes.
2006-09-03 05:26:57 · answer #1 · answered by bpiguy 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The Pope is also the head of Vatican City, a country in it's own right. They usually had Italian Popes because it made since to have an Italian ruling an Italian country. Pope JPII was a screw you to the Communist regime who were against religion and often forbid their people from practicing. But now the world is so global that it's making more since to have a Pope from somewhere else. Also, JPII had a lot of confidence in Benedict, so those who voted for him were acknowledging the JPII's wishes.
2006-09-03 00:52:51 · answer #2 · answered by ej_bronte 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Until recently most cardinals were Italian. Before modern transportation, many of the others would not arrive in Rome in time to vote. Since the Pope is the Bishop of Rome, it makes sense that his is Italian. In the past few decades, these conditions have changed. Non Italian cardinals form a majority.
2006-09-03 23:57:10 · answer #3 · answered by Woody 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The popes where not only from Italy,e.g. Pope Sixtus I 115 to 125 was born in Greece, Pope Anicetus 155 to 165 was born in Syria, Pope Victor I 189 to 198 was born in North Africa, Pope Theodore I 642 ti 649 was born in Palestine, Pope Silvester II 999 to 1003 was born in France, Pope Clement II 1046 to 1047 was born in Saxony, Pope Adrian IV 1154 to 1159 was born in England, Pope Callixtus 1455 to 1458 was born in Spain. True, most of the Popes were Italian born. So you can see, non Italians were also elected pope since the beginning of the Vatican.
2006-09-03 04:53:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, there were good chances to have another italian pope after john paul II. the fact is that the pope is elected by and among the cardinals. for centuries most of them were italian so there were bigger chances, while now a lot of countries are represented.
2006-09-02 20:27:06 · answer #5 · answered by maroc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is possible that the next Pope might be from South America. I know they keep the voting secret, but he was a front runner; I just don't remember his name. They think this will happen because South America is predominately Catholic and it would reinforce Catholicism there.
2006-09-02 22:12:45 · answer #6 · answered by kepjr100 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's just politics. Polish pope was a wink to then-communist countries. This one, I don't know, probably to UE countries. Coz they're losing catholics in Europe, maybe that's why.
2006-09-02 20:00:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋