Michael Novak

In today's NY Times Michael Novak makes the case for a kindler, gentler view of Benedict XVI than I did in yesterday's posting. Novak was once a radical leftists and, as so often happens, made the shift rightward decades ago and has become the darling of the theological right. He is bright and articulate. He says the portrayal of Cardinal Ratzinger as rigid and authoritarian is unfair, a creation of the sensation loving media.

He speaks of his personal encounters with the new Pope, telling of his shyness and gentle manner. Though he makes no predictions, his Times piece triggers memories of the surprise move Richard Nixon made to open relations with China, a move many thought only a proven conservative could make without drawing the ire of his fellow conservatives.

I devoutly hope so. In his first public statement as Pope he has tried to reassure his critics by saying he wanted to open the Roman Catholic Church to other churches. And to the world.

Early in George W. Bush's first term, and again at the beginning of his second term, I let myself listen to his promises to tone down the strident voice of his administration and the radical right. In both cases he soon, with his appointments and policies, belied his promises.

My hope rests largely in the reality that no Pope or President is as powerful as the reality he hopes to shape.