Fact or Legend: Was John Paul II Elected Twice?

Australian blogger "Credo" is reporting a story told to him by an American Roman Catholic Cardinal. According to the story, the conclave that elected John Paul I originally asked another man to become pope, and this man modestly, humbly did not accept. Then when about a month later, the college of cardinals had to meet again to select a successor to John Paul I, they convinced the first man to accept. "Credo" did not use the name John Paul I in his blog, but from the context it is obvious who he is talking about.

Whether or not the story is true, this period of time around the death of John Paul II is doing more to promote unity between Roman Catholic Christians and the rest of us Christ-follwers than anything since the Charismatic Movement of the late 1960's and early 1970's. But the unity found then was only for those believers who were both affected by the Charismatic Movement and were fellowshipping with RC's who were also participating. The recognition of unity now is much more widespread. John Paul II preached Christ as Savior and Lord; so do the rest of us. Of course I have doctrinal/theological issues with Roman Catholics; I have them with Baptists and Pentecostals, too. But that doesn't stop me from seeing any of them as brethren.