Global Factors And The Papacy

The last three popes have all been chosen primarily because of global factors, based on where the Pope was from.

John Paul II, from Poland, was chosen, in 1978, because Communism in Eastern Europe was in opposition to the Church.

Benedict, from Germany, was chosen, in 2005, to counter growing secularism in Europe. He had been the conservative driving force in the later years of John Paul's papacy.

Francis, from Argentina, was chosen, in 2013, to counter the gains that Evangelical Protestants were making in traditionally Catholic South America.