[Land of the Irish]

As a Catholic, I find the Pope's position embarassing.

I agree with you. The Pope should condemn the one man who is responsible for the embargo of his own country. The embargo is U.N. sanctioned and the Pope complains about it. Yet, the Pope tells us not to go to war unless the U.N. approves. The same U.N. that is forcibly pushing abortion and birth control on developing nations. It's a shame he even acknowledges any moral or legal authority to the U.N.

[Domestic Church]

Worth repeating!

"It's a shame he even acknowledges any moral or legal authority to the U.N."

[MadIvan]

I was curious about that too - why does the Holy Father give any deference at all to a body which perpetrates a policy that goes against many traditional Catholic doctrines. Meanwhile, both Blair and Bush are committed Christians.

Regards, Ivan

[Conservative til I die]

I also think the Pope needs to publicly put the onus on Hussein. While I don't have a problem with him stressing peace and alternative means of ending the conflict, he should also let Hussein know that he plays a part in this as well.