Someone in their 30’s will significantly change their worldview over the next 50+ years.
More than anything else, the church wants stability. If you elect someone in the last part of their life, you’ll have a much better idea of what ideology their entire papacy is going to be formed under.
If electing a pope was only for 4, 10, or even 20 years, it would be more reasonable to elect a younger pope, but as it is a lifetime appointment, someone older is always going to be a more conservative option.
Someone in their 30’s will significantly change their worldview over the next 50+ years.
More than anything else, the church wants stability. If you elect someone in the last part of their life, you’ll have a much better idea of what ideology their entire papacy is going to be formed under.
If electing a pope was only for 4, 10, or even 20 years, it would be more reasonable to elect a younger pope, but as it is a lifetime appointment, someone older is always going to be a more conservative option.