Dutch Pope Adrian fought corruption too 500 years ago
Prof. Paul van Geest, advisor to the Vatican, lectured on the pope Adrian VI, who was elected 500 years ago, sees many comparisons between him and Pope Francis in their fight against corruption.
Pope Adrian VI is the first and only Dutchman to be elected to the papacy, and he was the last non-Italian pope for 400 years. During the 1522 conclave that elected him, he wasn't even in Rome, but was serving as a cardinal in Spain.
It took the trained theologian and canon lawyer six months to make the journey from Spain to Rome, where he was finally crowned as pope on August 31, 1522. Despite the delay, the 63-year-old wasted no time in setting about with a determined agenda at a critical moment in the papacy. His rule however was very short, but his legacy set an example for future popes, Paul van Geest explains in an interview with the National Catholic Reporter.