[Cicero]

I agree with Donohue on this. The Pope has prayed for peace and urged that diplomatic means be used if possible. Nothing wrong with that. The antiwar crowd has twisted and distorted his words and actions for their own purposes. Normally they could care less what the Pope says.

As a Catholic, I haven't seen anything really troubling in the Pope's remarks. Some of the Italian bishops have been off the walls, but not the Pope himself. In any case, what he says is a prudential judgment, and Catholics are free to disagree on this point. Catholic philosophy and theology teach that although religious figures have a duty to advise, the actual decision to go to war is up to the head of state.

[madprof98]

As a Catholic, I haven't seen anything really troubling in the Pope's remarks.

I'm sure Frances Kissling says the very same thing whenever the pope makes one of his oh-so-predictable stands against abortion. It's not just the Left that is willfully indifferent to the prophets these days.

[NYer]

Catholic philosophy and theology teach that although religious figures have a duty to advise, the actual decision to go to war is up to the head of state.

Thank you for pointing this out. The entire story, however, has left me quite giddy. Can you imagine Cardinal Ratzinger trying to explain to the pope that his anti war statements have earned him acceptance amongst his worst enemies. All of those listed support abortion which is responsible for far more deaths on a daily basis than the conflict with Saddam Hussein. The absurdity is totally tantalizing!