You know, the pope really ought to have extraordinary character. What Ratzinger did in his youth was imminently defensible. Indeed, given the circumstances he was quite brave. Nothing good could have come from his getting himself killed. The pope, however, ought to be a person of extraordinary character. Granted that no one of such extraordinary character would have survived in Nazi Germany in the 40s, but I think this is truly enough to kill Ratzinger's candidacy. Which is too bad.
One of our readings in Church last Sunday was about Stepehn --- the first Christian (after Christ) killed for his faith.
One of the Jews looking on (if not participating) in the stoning was a young fellow named Saul.
People change.
Ratzinger is probably too old to become Pope. But it looks like he holds the biggest bloc of votes, so he will be a pope-maker. My money is on a conservative Latin American.
Exactly. Which is why Ratzinger's compulsory membership in the Hitler Youth should not disqaulify him from the Chair of Peter.