I've been hesitant to post to this thread all day. I guess I'm still sorting out how I feel about all of this. In a way, I feel indifferent and yet, the events obviously have some significance. I think I'll just hit on a few points.

As far as the nazi past, I don't feel I know enough to condemn him, nor exonerate him. I'm hesitant to judge him for his decisions as I don't know what it was like to live under those circumstances. Besides, I think there are others things more worthy of focus, such as statements that he has made as a representative of the church. Some of those have been interesting

I have to say, I had no expectations of the next pope being more progressive. I didn't expect someone to be elected that was going to change the church's stance on homosexuality, birth control, abortion, etc, and I don't hold that against him necessarily. I don't like those stances but my dissatisfaction on those issues is with the church as a whole, not with the guy that was just elected today.

I think that where he has the potential to hurt the church the most is whether his views are divisive to the church as a whole. Many fear that there could be a split in the church or that a lot of people may become dissatisfied with the church and leave completely. I think that is a real possibility, although I am somewhat indifferent as to what the fallout is, if any.

There are a few things I would like to see happen with the new pope but I'm not optimistic. I would like to see him voice his strong disapproval of the war in Iraq, as the last pope did. I just like to see consistency in the pro-life message, something I would like to see our own leader consider.

I would like to see more attention paid to Africa and the death and suffering that is occurring there. The position of the church is hurting Africa more than it is helping.

I would like to see a forceful admonishment of those involved in the pedophilia that has run rampant in the church. The last pope was a disappointment in this regard. I would especially like to see a smackdown of Cardinal Bernard Law, who sickens me.

We'll just have to see how it goes, I suppose.

Sheesh, I was expecting glorius olivae, and instead I get Pope Ratty?

I think he should have gone with the name "Pope Palpatine"

Pope benedict just brings up this guy in my head.

The pope is an old man in a pointy hat and robe and a pointy stick who repeats jingoistic bible slogans to his adoring masses. He has the easiest job in the world - everybody on his team loves him because of the hat and robe and pointy stick - but he is merely a living, breathing wedding cake topper - a sadly human icon of an ancient system of beliefs that more than anything excels at keeping a great portion of humanity numb, confused and unable to make even the tiniest of steps forward.

Of course, the same could be said for Carrot Top.

Nothing much will change, except perhaps new letterhead at the Vatican. A whole new Pope wardrobe. Pious pants, holy loafers and most sacred undergarments.

Could you imagine if all of the great and holy rollers came out of the conclave empty-handed? What if they just shrugged and said, "We're tired of buying new fitted robes and hats. The pope is a symbol of our faith, and these modern times necessitate change. The conclave calls upon Pixar to create a virtual 3D pope based on character designs modeled by Art Clokey. Pixar has the technical know-how and Clokey has the religious cred, courtesy of Davey and Goliath."

The new 3D pope would be accessible to anyone with a dial-up connection, and at churches, libraries and internet cafes.

He could appear in holiday-themed TV specials, and would be able to walk into many books, with his pony pal, Cardinal Bernard "Pokey" Law.

Sadly, it wouldn't work. Clokey was in the employ of the Lutherans.

Commemorative Kellogg's Pope Tarts, anyone?

^^Boss Radio^^ (Also €, et al...)

That's pretty much how I feel. I still don't really have an opinion. Just watching a bit. I wasn't even paying much attention to PopeWatch 2005 as JPII was ill, dead, and the selection process. As a non-Catholic, it didn't shake my world enough, I suppose.

The coverage seemed rediculous, but then again, I live in Southern California, and I know there are a great number of followers who watch the news down here. I was particularly amused while watching the 10:00 news to see a newscaster in Huntington Beach's Old World, getting the opinions of the local German Catholics. Hmmm... Bells & whistles, etc etc etc.

I wrote a paper once on early (and I mean early) Catholicism. Got a much lower grade than any of my previous assignments. Catholic professor (whoops! didn't think of that); guess he didn't like what I had to say. But my philosophy professor did. Got an A from him. (I especially liked that he accepted a multi-purpose paper)

But what to say? I guess nothing at all. I still find it hard to believe that one person gets that much control over so many people, and a religion (for Christ's sake!)...

Oh, and I guess I misheard, or someone misspoke on the news, but I heard this morning that he had defected from his duties in the Hitler Youth. Reading lots to the contrary now.

Sorry for the ramblings. We can strike this from the record if neccesary.

-E

From an article on comcast.net
And from the same article:

Where have you read info to the contrary?

If you, or anyone else (like MBC, regarding interesting statements Ratzinger's made) have supportive info and would like to post it, or links, or send it to me directly, I'd appreciate it.

I was dismayed this morning to have my mother's rebuttal of all the information I gave her yesterday with positive spin from EWTN, the Catholic cable channel. She seems to be trying to support Ratzinger and would like me to stop reading "black press." I would just like to know the truth about a man I don't think has the capability to be a holy leader. And when I say holy, I mean truly compassionate and seeking to better the world.

I'd just like to have some words from his own mouth to show my mother.

Does anyone else expect the sentence, "You know, the Nazis may have had some pretty extreme tactics...but overall they had the right idea," from him? That's what concerns me. His rhetoric hardly is that of a man who truly disagreed with the Nazis. He's divisive, intolerant, and an isolationist. Basically, he just eventaully wasn't cool with the killing, but everything else? This just feels like a giant leap backwards for world-wide tolerance.

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/inter...020400,00.html

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!!

There is a story out about "the Jewish perspective" of Pope Benedict XVI. I found it interesting, and overall "Jewish leadership" seems to have no problem with his past.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050420/D89J5MSG0.html