Some questions about Ratzinger...if anyone can help me out.

[Sean Reynolds]

Clearly anyone expecting a 'liberal' pope was living a pipe dream. There were moderate candidates, but not one true reformer among the favorites. As a Catholic, I'm inclined to accept Pope Benedict XVI, only because I believe we should see what he says and does. So I'm asking anyone out there to help me out with some questions I have about him...please don't reply with snide remarks, as I really do want to know.

Does anyone know where he stands on human rights? Pope John Paul II, while very conservative on church doctrine, was very liberal when it came to some social issues. I'm talking about health care, union support, decent human rights conditions, etc. Does Ratzinger share these views?

Does Ratzinger oppose the death penalty? Pope John Paul II was the first, if I recall, pope to vehemently come out against the death penalty. Does Ratzinger share this view?

Did Ratzinger oppose the war in Iraq? Pope John Paul II was very opposed to the war in Iraq and made it clear what his opinion on that matter was. However, does anyone know what Ratzinger's stance on this was?

I ask these questions because Ratzinger very well may just be an extension of the Pope John Paul II's papacy. While I didn't agree with a lot of what John Paul II preached, I at least felt he was a good man. I want to feel the same about Ratzinger, but there is a lot of unknowns......

Can anyone help me?

[WillowTree]

1. Apart from possibly his personal secretary...

....Benedict XVI was probably closer to Pope John Paul II than anyone and was his "right hand man" for more than 20 years. I would not expect much to change under his tutelage as Pope. Many, obviously, are outraged, but more, I think, will find a certain amount of comfort in the consistency and continuum he will bring to the Church.

[Clark Bayh 2008]

2. The web says Benedict XV was strongly ANTI-WAR