[Theoden]

The pope, as the head of the universal church, was NOT in a position to be openly against Hitler in the political sense. The Germans occupied fascist Italy at that time, so, not only would it have been likely that Hitler would have had the pope and the church hierarchy executed with an anti-pope set up, and the Vatican looted by his SS henchman, but the lives of millions of Catholics, and other Christians would have been put in jeopardy by such actions.

Unfortunately, the pope has to be as much a politician as a shepard of the church, and any actions he may have openly taken against Hitler would have had dire consequences. The SS were pagan in their beliefs, worshiping the old Germanic/Norse Gods, and vehemently persecuted all Christians, especially Catholics. The deaths that may have caused would have far out numbered the amount of those who would have been saved. Discretion and secrecy were the best ways to fight Hitler at that time. Pope Pius may have given in a little too much to them, but if your city was occupied with thousands of Nazi soldiers, you don't really have a choice in a lot of matters. The pope did what he could, when he could. I would have loved for the Church to have been more proactive in the helping of our Jewish brethren, but Monday morning quarterbacking does not change anything or help any body. Most European leaders at that time appeased Hitler too much.

I feel the same way as you on that Iranian nut case. It's not the pope's position, however, to go out and say, "Go ahead, nuke the bastard". That wouldn't be very Christian of him :) I can assure you, Pope Benedict XVI has no love for Islam, but he is simply acting as a "cautious voice" in this circumstance. The Iranian people hate this guy, especially the students, and including many of the people that once supported him. There is still hope for that country, and the pope knows it. If anything happens, it is likely that Israel will take them out first, with air support from us. I am very pro-Israel, and I want this Muslim filth taken out.

Please just don't go all out on the Pope or the Church, because some low-level guy in the Vatican made a statement of his own opinion. Thats like having Senator Kennedy making a statement, and someone reporting it as American foreign policy. I will defend my faith to the death, and if you have an issue with it, please be civil about it. There have been many scandals throughout history, most recently with the pedophile filth that came in during the 60's and 70's. Just remember, "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it", and for the last 2,000 years, Christ's words have held true. I do apologize if I come out swinging too harshly, I am just sick of having to defend my church from fellow Christians. I'd rather be fighting Muslims and Atheists. Have a good weekend.

[Conservative til I die]

It's not the pope's position, however, to go out and say, "Go ahead, nuke the bastard".

Not to be provocative (!) but I think some folks here won't be happy til the Pope calls the President of IRan a "Sand n*gger". But who am I kidding, the Church will never be right in these folks' eyes. They hate the Church, and probably subconsciously hate her members.