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Why did many cardinals expect John XXIII to be an interim pope?
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St. John XXIII
Pope John XXIII said the goal of his papacy was to “bring the church up to date” and regenerate Catholic faith.
When the Sacred College of Cardinals elected Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli as Pope John XXIII in 1958, they viewed him as an "interim" pope, or papa di passaggio.1
Several factors contributed to this expectation:
- Advanced Age: At the time of his election, Cardinal Roncalli was elderly, leading the cardinals to believe he would only serve for a few years.1
- Perceived Conformity: Throughout his career, Roncalli had been known for his readiness to follow orders, subdue his own preferences, and adjust to the will of his superiors. The cardinals expected him to maintain the status quo and continue the defensive, tradition-bound policies established by his predecessor, Pius XII.1
- Strategic Planning: The cardinals intended for his brief reign to serve as a bridge, after which the church could be turned over to a younger prelate who would continue in the mold of Pius XII.1
Contrary to these expectations, John XXIII surprised the church by initiating significant reforms, most notably by convoking the Second Vatican Council to modernize the church.123