Italian Culture & Vatican II

“We are born at a given moment, in a given place, and like vintage years of wine, we have the qualities of the year and of the season in which we are born." - Carl Jung

Scholars often take a top-down approach when examining Vatican II – an ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church during the 1960s – by focusing on how Vatican II influenced culture: how the revised liturgy allowed for greater lay participation, how the Constitutions promoted ecumenical dialogue and addressed social justice concerns, encouraging people to act. 

But how did culture shape Vatican II? Specifically, how did Italian culture shape Vatican II? 

Of course bishops and theologians (periti) of various cultures from around the world contributed to the renewal (aggiornamento). But the Council took place in Italy and you can't ignore the great contribution that Italian culture had, not only on the Roman Catholic Church over the centuries leading up to Vatican II, but also during the changes happening during the Council.

Would Vatican II have been different if it had taken place outside of Italy? 

I believe that a couple of aspects, deeply embedded in Italian culture, shaped Vatican II: the notion of aggiornamento and Renaissance humanism. 

What other aspects of Italian culture do you think may have influenced this ecumenical council?