Who will succeed Pope John Paul II?

The late Pope John Paul II made history when he became the first non-Italian Pope in 445 years. Some popes had interesting backgrounds, but they were all Italians. Pope John XIII, for instance, served as a sergeant in the Italian army during World War I. Now, with the demise of Pope John Paul II, everyone is speculating if the next pope will again be Italian or will the new successor of St. Peter possibly come from Latin America where half of the world’s one billion Roman Catholics live. Brazil, Mexico and the Philippines are the three biggest Catholic countries in the world. Brazil has 135 million Catholics; Mexico 86 million; the Philippines 59 million. It would be great if for the first time in history, we get a pope who comes from the third world.

The pope is referred to by various titles – Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of St. Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff, Patriarch of the West, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province and Sovereign of the State of Vatican City, often just referred to as the Vatican. It is also the descriptive term for the official position the Roman Catholic Church takes on religious questions. In 1869, Vatican Council I convened and its main message was the promulgation of the doctrine of infallibility.

Almost a century later – Oct. 11, 1962, it was followed by Vatican Council II, which church historians consider as the greatest religious event of the twentieth century. It issued the most far-reaching statements of church teaching since the beginning of church history.

Till the next pope is elected, there is no doubt that almost all world news will be focussed on the Vatican. The world is now a global village and we hope that whoever is chosen as the late Pope’s successor will try to keep the Church with the times. Roman Catholicism is a world religion and it will be good if the next duly-elected pope will come from the third world. Surely there are many cardinals there that are worthy to assume supreme jurisdiction over the universal Church. It will be a major step to making Roman Catholicism a true world religion. Italian popes have had more than ample time to prepare for this great moment. The third world may be behind the more advanced countries economically. But when it comes to religion, there should be no third world countries. And this can be best shown if a qualified cardinal of the third world becomes the next pope.