For nearly two thousand years, most Popes have indeed been European—especially Italian. This was natural, since the papacy developed in Rome and the College of Cardinals was historically centered in Europe. Yet the heart of the Church has always been universal, reaching out to every nation and culture.
The first clear example of a non-European Pope in modern times is Pope Francis, elected in 2013. He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, making him the first Pope from the Americas and the first from the Southern Hemisphere. His election was a profound sign that the Catholic Church truly embraces her global identity — “catholic” meaning universal.
Before Pope Francis, nearly all Popes were from Europe, but not all were Italian. For instance, Pope Gregory III (731–741) was Syrian, the last non-European Pope before Francis. In the early centuries of the Church, several Popes came from regions that are now part of the Middle East and North Africa — areas that were not considered “European” at the time.
The story of the papacy reminds us that God’s call knows no borders. The Church is not bound to one nation or people; she is a family gathered from every language and culture. The election of a Pope like Francis shows that the Gospel is alive across the whole world, and that the Spirit continues to guide the Church through diversity and communion.
May we see in the Church’s universality a reflection of Christ’s open heart, welcoming every nation to the love of the Father.
— Fr. John Matthew, for Christian Way
