Dear sinkspur,
What, no mea culpas??? ;-)
You DID say that our beloved new Holy Father would NOT be our beloved new Holy Father. ;-)
I don't know what Pope Benedict's intentions are with his name.
My sense is not that he's a moderate, in the sense of trying to get along with all parties, but rather that he's a moderate, in that he will guide the Church down the true center line of following the Master, and those who fall to the right or the left will have to adjust their course or be left behind.
As well, I've read that St. Benedict is the patron saint of Europe. I know that Pope Benedict is anxious to reclaim Europe for Christianity.
He has my prayers.
sitetest
I did. I didn't think the cardinals would put a 78 year old cardinal who wanted to retire two years ago in the most stressful job in the Catholic Church.
It's the equivalent of George W. Bush nominating a 78 year old to the Supreme Court.
But, we should all pray for him. He has a very difficult job and stands in the shadow of one of the greatest popes of all time.