[laureldrive]

They did not control Hitler.

That's anti-catholic propaganda. Why were priests and nuns thrown in concentration camps, if the church was friendly to Hitler? Why did Golda Meir thank the church? Why did the chief rabbi of Rome convert to Roman Catholicism in thanks?

[Notwithstanding]

You and I must not have gotten the secret memo issued to all Catholics from the Vatican telling us exactly what to do each day.

To think that some idiots think the pope is responsible for everything in the world - while also claiming he should mind his own business and also not try to weild too much power or influence.

Well, which is it? Is he powerful or powerless? Should he be influential or have no influence? Does he control us Catholics or doesn't he? Should he or shouldn't he?

The detractors are just swiping at something they envy - it is pope envy, in my opinion.

He is a hero and a man of great virtue and honor - who will always be remembered as such - no matter how many disgruntled hating bigoted (or is it big-toed) FReepers claim otherwise.

And that really pisses some folks off.

[patriciaruth]

They did not control Hitler.

That's anti-catholic propaganda.

Neville Chamberlain did not control Hitler. Is that anti-Catholic propaganda or is that a fact?

Nobody controlled Hitler. We, the United States, had to destroy him. My point is that a speech by the Pope will not control Saddam either. Whatever he says, however good a man he is, however much truth his Church contains, it is not a worldly instrument that can control megalomaniac dictators bent on using WMD.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

..why were priests and nuns thrown in concentration camps, if the church was friendly to Hitler? Why did Golda Meir thank the church? Why did the chief rabbi of Rome convert to Roman Catholicism in thanks?...

Go get 'em, Laurel! But I'll bet deathly silence is your only answer to those questions.