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Election of Popes |
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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. Sullivan, page 7).
From THE NEW CATHOLIC DICTIONARY, Imprimatur, Cardinal Hayes, New York,
page 356: "Fabian, SAINT, POPE (236-250), b.Rome; d. there. A dove
descended on his head while he attended the papal election. Considering
this a sign from heaven he was elected by acclamation. Little is known of
his reign."
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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