Final answer:
The first non-Italian pope since 1523 was Pope John Paul II, who was elected in 1978. He was from Poland and his election marked the end of a 455-year period of Italian papal dominance. His papacy was known for its significant role in interfaith relationships and the fall of communism in Europe.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first non-Italian pope since 1523 was Pope John Paul II, born Karol Józef Wojtyła, who was elected to the papacy in 1978. He hailed from Poland and was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years, succeeding Pope John Paul I.
His papacy was marked by his efforts to improve the Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, and the Eastern Orthodox Church, and his stance against communism, which played a significant role in the end of communism in Poland and throughout Central and Eastern Europe.
Prior to John Paul II, the papacy had been predominantly Italian, a pattern going back to the time after the Avignon Papacy and the Western Schism. This period in Church history saw significant conflicts between popes and secular rulers, which led to multiple claimants to the papacy at times and the relocation of the papal court to Avignon.
Pope John Paul II's election signified a pivotal change in the history of the papacy and reflected a broader desire for a global representation within the Church.