Passports & Papal Visits

T-minus twelve days and my passport still isn't here. It was supposed to have been here already, but alas the Federal bureaucracy at work. On a positive note, I called the office of my member of Congress, Rep. Brad Miller (D-13) and my trip was "moved up" so to speak and my passport is being expedited - so I should be getting that flimsy but ever so important document very soon.

I have been following the controversy concerning the Pope's visit to Israel very closely. Yesterday, the Holy Father's press folks (all of whom should be fired - immediately) made another gaffe by saying that the Pope "had never been a member of the dreaded Hitler Youth." This contradicts personal statements by the Pope himself and as you can imagine the statement set off a hailstorm of biblical proportions in the Israeli press. The Vatican was quick to correct the statement but the damage was done.

Want evidence of Israeli skepticism towards this particular Pope? Look no further than the code names given to the last two papal visits by the Israeli Defense Force. Pope John Paul II's visit in 2000 was codenamed "Operation Old Friend", whereas Pope Benedict XVI's visit has been codenamed "Operation White Robe."

My take: I understand the skepticism, but the things being said about Benedict also make him more aptly able to serve in his important capacity. Being conscripted into the Hitler Youth and the German Army (both of which he left as soon as he could without being charged with Treason) has given Benedict a keen insight into one of the darkest plights marking mankind in the twentieth century. While his press officials have certainly made gaffes - I believe Benedict to be an extremely religious man who is dedicated to his faith. As Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith - he was the closest thing to a "Vice-Pope" that we have ever seen. In the waining years of John Paul II's life, Ratzinger was practically running the church already.

Has he made mistakes - certainly, but let's not label him antisemitic quite yet. The compassion and care for all sides that he haw shown during the course of his trip thus far is admirable. Folks, let's give him a chance. He will never endear the popularity enjoyed by John Paul II, but we would be keen to remember that he was brought up in the church under the wing of his predecessor, who none of us would ever consider a Nazi sympathizer or antisemitic.