I don’t know what God has in mind here, but there has been an unnervingly close series of parallels between the popes and the U.S. presidents, at least since World War II. The following eerie coincidences between papal and presidential reigns strikes me as somehow significant.
Make of them what you will…
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Pius XII (1939-1958)
Reigned during World War II. Widely criticized later for resisting Holocaust quietly, which he thought necessary to save lives. A clear-eyed opponent of international Communism. Church expanded and grew throughout his reign, in what seemed like a golden age.[/one_half]
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Harry Truman (1945-1953)
Governed at end of World War II. Widely criticized later for using atomic bombs to end World War II, which he thought necessary to save lives. A clear-eyed opponent of international Communism.[/one_half_last]
Dwight Eisenhower (1953-1961)
Economy expanded and grew throughout his reign, in what seemed like a golden age.
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John XXIII (1958-1963)
An unexpected fresh face, who was beloved by the faithful during his brief reign, despite a rather scant set of accomplishments. He set in motion an optimistic reform movement, which after his death degenerated into bitter controversy.[/one_half]
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John F. Kennedy (1961-1963)
An unexpected fresh face, who was beloved by the electorate during his brief presidency, despite a rather scant set of accomplishments. He set in motion the U.S. involvement in Vietnam, which after his death degenerated into bitter controversy.[/one_half_last]
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Pope Paul VI (1963-1973)
A moderate, anti-Communist liberal who came to be hated by liberals. He implemented broad changes in the Church, but stood firm on contraception, which his former allies considered unforgiveable.[/one_half]
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Lyndon Johnson (1963-1969)
A moderate, anti-Communist liberal who came to be hated by liberals. He implemented broad social programs, but doubled down on U.S. involvement in Vietnam, which his former allies considered unforgiveable.[/one_half_last]
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A likeable man whose brief reign left him no time to accomplish anything.[/one_half]
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Gerald Ford (1973-1976)
A likeable man whose Nixon connection left him no political capital to accomplish anything.[/one_half_last]
Jimmy Carter (1976-81)
A likeable man whose utter lack of prudence left him unable to accomplish anything.
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Pope John Paul II (1978-2005)
A visionary who saw the profound evils both of Communism and of the Western culture of death, who invigorated a generation of Catholics to rediscover the treasures of their faith. Shot by a Turk who might have been working for the KGB, but survived—with Parkinson’s caused by the shooting. Confronted the Soviet empire and helped to bring it down.[/one_half]
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Ronald Reagan (1981-1989)
A visionary who saw the profound evils both of Communism and of the Western culture of death, who invigorated a generation of Americans to rediscover the values of our Founding. Shot by a Yalie who thought he was working for Jodie Foster, but survived—with Parkinson’s caused by the shooting. Confronted the Soviet empire and helped to bring it down.[/one_half_last]
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Benedict XVI (2005-2014)
Overshadowed by the long, glorious reign of his predecessor, with a shyer and more retiring nature, this elite-educated intellectual tried to restore liturgical traditions and clean up the sex abuse crisis, with mixed results. He left office unexpectedly, after a brief term in office.[/one_half]
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George H.W. Bush (1989-2004)
Overshadowed by the long, glorious terms of his predecessor, with a shyer and more retiring nature, this elite-educated policy wonk tried to cement Russian democracy and clean up the Middle East, with mixed results. He left office unexpectedly, after a brief term in office.[/one_half_last]
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Francis (2014–)
A long-shot, surprise candidate who was immediately greeted as a world leader and honored around the world, before he had time to accomplish anything. Promised to correct fundamental injustices, especially those attributed to global capitalism. Gravely concerned about climate change.[/one_half]
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Barack Obama (2009–)
A long-shot, surprise candidate who was immediately greeted as a world leader and honored around the world, before he had time to accomplish anything. Promised to correct fundamental injustices, especially those attributed to global capitalism. Gravely concerned about climate change.[/one_half_last]
We have seen no Nixon, no Clinton, and no George W. pope—at least not in our time, though if we dig back in the Renaissance we could surely find some.
For some things we should sit back and be grateful.