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John Paul II was the third longest reigning pope during the whole history of the Catholic Church. This wasn’t by accident.
Before him, there were two old and ill popes, John Paul I. reigned only for 33 days.
The cardinals didn’t want to keep shaking the Catholic Church by having a new pope every couple years, so they elected a relatively young pope in 58 years old Karol Józef Wojtyla Polish Cardinal.
Will we have a next young pope?
Before John Paul II, Paul VI reigned for 15 years, John Paul I only for 33 days. After him, Benedict XVI for nearly 8 years before stepping down, and Francis for 12 years until his death.
I wonder what will be the strategy for Francis’ succession and if we will have a new young pope after Benedict and Francis.
Related
- Queen Elizabeth II had a long reign by accident, while her contemporary, Pope John Paul II had a long reign by design 6a1-queen-elizabeth-ii-had-a-long-reighn-by-accident-while-her-contemporary-pope-john-paul-ii-had-a-long-reigh-by-design