You have no idea what the future will hold. More than anything else, the election of Ratzinger means that the Catholic Church has recognized the need to stand firm on its principles in an era when there is a lot of popular pressure to abandon them.
It's all about Politics and nothing else. At 78 Ratzinger can be nothing else but a caretaker Pope. Being Pope is more of mankiller job than being President and if he lasts more than 4 or 5 years it will be a miracle.
As I said it is the last gasp of the Europeans trying to hold on to power in the Church. At the next conclave the torch will be passed to someone from Africa or Asia.
Agreed. The election of Ratzinger is an excellent sign!!!!