We’ve had three non-Italian popes in a row. It used to be expected that the occupant of the Chair of Peter would be from Italy. It was so for centuries.
Now that the pattern has been broken, I wonder when the next Italian will be Bishop of Rome. Or if it will ever happen again.
 | Todd on Amoris Laetitia 179: Adop… |
 | Liam on Amoris Laetitia 179: Adop… |
| Liam on First Serve |
| Liam on First Serve |
| Liam on First Serve |
| Liam on When Cozy Trumps Courage |
 | When Cozy Trumps Cou… on Hands Off Hands Together |
| Liam on Hands Off Hands Together |
| Todd on Hands Off Hands Together |
 | Chris Sullivan on Hands Off Hands Together |
It’s much more likely a matter of when rather than if. Italy is still one of the largest Catholic nations by nominal Catholic population, and is not a great power that raises too much of the spectre of international rivalries.Also consider that Papa Bergolio is the child of Italian parents.