Nearly three decades ago, the Catholic Church wisely selected an individual from Eastern Europe, as that part of the world was moving towards freedom and integration into the world. That was an inspired move.
Today, many are asking whether the next pope should represent someone from the Third Worldwhich makes up two thirds of the Vatican's 1.1 billion strong flock?
Such a choice would promote the Church's already rapid growth in these areas.
I suspect it will not be long before we see a Pope Juan Pablo.