The Pope’s visit is all about a theology that is a failure. It chased nonviolent direct political action up the ladder to Heaven and there has been constant chaos on Earth ever since. We are extentions of nature, not rulers over nature, but, unfortunately, worshippers of the supernatural god do not yet know this. If we have a stand-out idiot figure in the secular world in Bush, no less can be said about idiocy in the religious world. This is not to say that I am picking the Dalai Lama either, though China is worse. Perhaps these guys can figure out a way of reforesting Mars, because Earth is surely in the midst of desertification.

See, this is why I’m not Catholic anymore. (or at least part of the reason). What hypocrisy! He did write the below piece about the carnage last month, but that’s not enough. Besides, what good is it gonna do to talk to the shrub, or the US controlled UN? He hasn’t come anywhere close to calling the Iraq invasion the illegal occupation that it is. Pope John Paul II said that right up front and directly.

Now if Bishop Desmond Tutu was coming to America, I might get excited. Otherwise, just another diversion with Palm fronds and a white gown. His outfit is nearly identical to the royals in Saudi Arabia that bush hangs out and holds hands with. (except for the beanie, because they wear different headgear).

Pope: Enough With Slaughters in Iraq
The Associated Press
Sunday 16 March 2008
Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI issued one of his strongest appeals for peace in Iraq on Sunday, days after the body of the kidnapped Chaldean Catholic archbishop was found near the northern city of Mosul.

The pope also denounced the five-year-long war, saying it had provoked the complete breakup of Iraqi civilian life.

“Enough with the slaughters. Enough with the violence. Enough with the hatred in Iraq!” Benedict said to applause at the end of his Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square.

On Thursday, the body of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho was found near Mosul. He had been abducted on Feb. 29.

Benedict has called Rahho’s death an “inhuman act of violence” that offended human dignity.

On Sunday, Benedict praised Rahho for his refusal to abandon his flock despite many threats and difficulties.

Benedict said Rahho’s dedication to the Catholic Church and his death compelled him to “raise a strong and sorrowful cry” to denounce the violence in Iraq spawned by the war that began five years ago this week.

“At the same time, I make an appeal to the Iraqi people, who for the past five years have borne the consequences of a war that provoked the breakup of their civil and social life,” Benedict said.

He urged them to raise their heads and reconstruct their life through “reconciliation, forgiveness, justice and coexistence among tribal, ethnic and religious groups.”

The Vatican strongly opposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. In its aftermath, Benedict has frequently criticized attacks against Iraqi Christians by Islamic extremists. Last year, he urged President Bush to keep the safety of Iraqi Christians in mind.

Benedict is due to preside over a memorial service at the Vatican on Monday in honor of Rahho. Typically, the pope only presides over such services when a cardinal dies.

The pontiff’s appeal for peace came at the end of his Palm Sunday Mass, which opens the Church’s busy Holy Week celebrations. They include the Good Friday re-enactment of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and death and the celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.

At the start of Mass, Benedict blessed palms and olive branches with holy water and then processed through St. Peter’s Square, wearing intricate, red- and gold-brocaded vestments and clutching a woven palm frond.

A few hundred young people carried massive palm fronds at the start of the procession through the square as part of the lead-up to celebrations for the Catholic Church’s annual World Youth Day.  Benedict plans to attend World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia, in July.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/031708R.shtml

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Can’t say I blame him for this. I wouldn’t meet with her either.
Pope “Refused Audience for Rice”
By David Willey
BBC News
Wednesday 19 September 2007
Pope Benedict XVI refused a recent request by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to discuss the Middle East and Iraq, Vatican sources say.
The Pope refused a request for an audience during the August holidays.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/092007P.shtml