I think that almost anyone elected as Pope today from would have national "baggage" as part of his past.
I don't know much about the supposed candidate cardinal from Africa. What if he came from a country like Rwanda or like country where horrible genocide has (and still is) occurring? Would we be so judgmental as we are being of Ratzinger? I'm only saying this in regards to Ratzinger's background -- not on his history as a leader in the Catholic church.
And I know I've heard several newscasters opine that an American would not be elected Pope because of the Vatican's desire to distance themselves from the world's largest super-power (and the implicit message that America is highly disapproved of by the rest of the world for its waging of war in Iraq).
I am definitely a lapsed Christian but it's one of the big teachings of Christianity that anyone can see the light and realize the errors of his ways, so I'm willing to give Ratzinger a superficial pass in that respect. However, the rumors that he wants to go back in time to a pre-Vatican II theology where women were only allowed to iron the church vestments has me very uneasy.
Maybe it's my "anti-faith filibustering Democratic ways" showing
, but the U.S. has been so big on women's rights with George W. freeing the Afghanistan women from virtual slavery, but then GW turns around and praises Ratzinger? I don't know what to think!
Sorry, this is very rambling, but it's hard to put in words what I'm feeling and thinking right now about this. I think I need to ponder this some more....