I know this will cause the conspiracy theorists to go into a frenzy and the secularists and relativists to go nuts.  Ratzinger was known as a very hard-line cardinal.  He's not that popular even within his own country.  I expect them to disrespect Pope Benedict in a fashion similar to President Bush.  He won't get a honeymoon; the bashing will start this afternoon, if it hasn't started already.

(Photo:  AP/Yahoo)

I wish him well.  This is a very trying time for the Catholic Church.  I'm sure Pope Benedict XVI will
help the church continue to stand on principle, but it's not going to be easy at all.

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UPDATE:  Thought I was joking?  Malkin linked to the Daily Kos response to the new Pope.  Kos called the new Pope "Ratfucker".  What a lowlife.  Why anyone takes that fool seriously, I have no idea.