But a rift developed among Italian cardinals, the largest national group in the college, and forced a compromise.

By the end of the 1300s, the practice of solely Italian cardinals had ceased.

Two Italian cardinals made similar statements in recent homilies.

There were 21 Italian cardinals, 11 Spanish, and 7 French.

An Italian Cardinal gave it to me for protecting purity.

For example, in the 1800s, the percentage of Italian Cardinals was three times higher than it is today.

He had one serious advantage - the Italian cardinals nominated by his uncle Paul remained loyal to him.

Albinus (died 1197) was an Italian Cardinal of the late twelfth century.

In 2002, Italian cardinals made up just 15 percent of the College, a drop from 60 percent in the 1950s.

The press presented him as one of the leading Italian candidates, but the Italian cardinals are now a minority in the college.