Nah. I mean, obviously you're right in theory, and in some sort of idealized platonic form of the papacy this would be true. But the Church has cashed her cards in on the bishop of Rome being the centralized and universal pontiff over the whole Church. If, practically speaking, the Bishop of Rome was meant to be primarily the bishop of Rome, then he would have been kept as the patriarch of Rome who was the first among equals rather than the supreme pontiff.
In reality, the cardinal vicar of Rome is the one who takes primary care of the Diocese of Rome, and he certainly should be a Roman (or at least an Italian). But given the global scope of the Pope's responsibilities, to favor Italians for the papacy is a pious sentiment that is a bit silly when considered practically.
IMHO if an Italian is the most qualified, most faithful, most prudent man available, then it should be an Italian. He doesn't even have to be a priest (the Church can fix that over a few days' time.)
Trouble is, none of the Italians I've read about appeal to me, and Catholicism in Italy, which had plateaued under JPII and BXVI and even started to recover, has since stumbled badly. The Italians seem to be taking their cues from the Germans.
Fascinating read! I often feel so sucked into the immediate and short term, but this was a lovely break to look in through the lens of centuries. Would you be able to share the dataset you used Brendan?
One thing, I had never heard of the "babylonian captivity" in the context of Avignon, but only of the "Avignon captivity". Is the former a common expression?
I know this is slightly off topic but if the Pillar has addressed it elsewhere I can’t find it. I originally read that there were 135 cardinals of voting age but you mentioned only 133. I know Becciu is out , but who is the other one?
At this point, let's have another half a millennium or more without an Italian pope. They've had more of their fair share.
I would generally agree but I'd make an exception for Pizzaballa :)
Amen!
Nope, the Pope is 1st and foremost the Bishop of Rome. I think an Italian (all things being equal) is a good thing.
Nah. I mean, obviously you're right in theory, and in some sort of idealized platonic form of the papacy this would be true. But the Church has cashed her cards in on the bishop of Rome being the centralized and universal pontiff over the whole Church. If, practically speaking, the Bishop of Rome was meant to be primarily the bishop of Rome, then he would have been kept as the patriarch of Rome who was the first among equals rather than the supreme pontiff.
In reality, the cardinal vicar of Rome is the one who takes primary care of the Diocese of Rome, and he certainly should be a Roman (or at least an Italian). But given the global scope of the Pope's responsibilities, to favor Italians for the papacy is a pious sentiment that is a bit silly when considered practically.
IMHO if an Italian is the most qualified, most faithful, most prudent man available, then it should be an Italian. He doesn't even have to be a priest (the Church can fix that over a few days' time.)
Trouble is, none of the Italians I've read about appeal to me, and Catholicism in Italy, which had plateaued under JPII and BXVI and even started to recover, has since stumbled badly. The Italians seem to be taking their cues from the Germans.
Fascinating read! I often feel so sucked into the immediate and short term, but this was a lovely break to look in through the lens of centuries. Would you be able to share the dataset you used Brendan?
Very interesting indeed.
One thing, I had never heard of the "babylonian captivity" in the context of Avignon, but only of the "Avignon captivity". Is the former a common expression?
Sufficiently common to force a disambiguation page on the great authority.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonian_captivity_(disambiguation)
Yes.
Fascinating! Thanks so much, Brendan, for compiling all the info and statistics!
I know this is slightly off topic but if the Pillar has addressed it elsewhere I can’t find it. I originally read that there were 135 cardinals of voting age but you mentioned only 133. I know Becciu is out , but who is the other one?
Great work! A new way to schematize Church history?