I understand how you can be impacted by the Pope and accept your analysis as honest and well meaning. However, many Catholics, including self, probably hear a different message and are very inspired by the Pope. He is above gamesmanship and politics. I hope Kerry begins to listen to him someday. I also felt that he acknowledged the reality of war and the addition of Israel as part of the problems and issues with Iraq was well said. Please don't think I am being critical of your opinion. I think your observations are very important.
God Bless America
Although I have serious issues with his rejection of capitalism (which I attribute to ignorance of economics, and traditional Church hostility to capitalism) and promotion of a vapid socialism, this Pope did great good for the Faith and the world in the early, vigorous years of his Pontificate. As you say, he has been a great inspiration.
That said, he is now clearly not in charge and, what is truly sad, does not have a clue at the threat posed by radical and even 'ordinary' islam to the West and to Christianity. In that sense, he aids and comforts those Europeans who seek to undermine the United States, when he does not explicitly stand with them, as he has (or has allowed his minions to position him) done in opposing the Iraq war. I wish him well, beatification, even sainthood in the fullness of time, but I do wish him to step down before he does more harm to the Church and Christendom.