[AlbionGirl]

I don't think Europe has a clue in terms of it's reconciling it's Nazi past with it's present. Germany was chief offender, of course, but Italy (and I was born there, so this isn't some anti-Italian or anti-German sentiment) didn't do too much to reign in Mussolini until Italy felt, via German occupation, the full measure of his hapless, stupid 'alliance.' And France? No explanation needed, Vichy says it all. I don't think they've ever really faced up to what they did.

I say this because I think it also reflects what I believe to be an ambivalence likely present in the Cardinals of Europe who get the vote.

From the little I understand, Ratzinger is likely not to get the nod because he might not be the flaming Socialist that the rest of them are, and not because of anything to do with his past. Especially such a distant past and one which is hard to easily render judgement on.

[k omalley]

We know what will happen if Ratzinger is elected pope. The liberal media will be all over his brief involvement with the Hitler youth. I can hear the stories now on TV and know exactly what the editorials will say in my hometown liberal socialist rag. I really don't care what they have to say. I think that he would be an excellent pope. He is probably exactly what we need right now. Mahony, however, whom I have no love for, made an astute observation that no cardinal from a country where no one goes to church would be elected pope.

I also think Arinze would also be a fine choice. Church growth is exploding in Africa. Africa is also in danger of its population dying out. Arinze as pope would draw attention to the problems in Africa. He seems to be orthodox as well.