ELECTION OF POPES

BASIC R.C. BELIEFS

The Bishop of Rome used to be chosen by the people of Rome, then by the

priests. Since 1059 the electoral power for a pope has been restricted to

Cardinals. For over 500 years, the choice has fallen on a Cardinal,

although any Roman Catholic man who has come to the age of reason is

eligible (EXTERNALS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, Msgr. O'Sullivan, page 7). For

many years the Papacy has been bestowed on an Italian; the last non-Italian

Pope had been Dutch (Adrian VI) in 1522. On Nov. 16, 1978, a Pole, Karol

Wojtyla, was elected and became Pope John Paul II.

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