"Actually, I've been very surprised by Cdl Kasper. He was definitely on the liberal side and was also one of Ratzinger's rivals for the Papacy. But he has emerged as quite orthodox in his dealings with - well, the Orthodox - and has also been quite firm on Islam. One never knows what the Holy Spirit is going to do, I guess...
But I agree, I think there are signs that something is in the works."
I am advised that the recently concluded session of the renewed dialog at Belgrade went very, very well and further that the patristic influence of +BXVI contributed mightily to a different and better atmosphere at the meeting.
I think that is going to be an enormous benefit to all. I have been reading some of his writings, mostly compilations of lectures or addresses he delivered before he was Pope, and I have been amazed by his sources and where he is looking for the authentic spring of doctrine. He's also one of those people who can write a sentence that I have to think about all night, not because it's complicated (he writes very simply), but because it's so laden with meaning.