[Lizavetta]

Across the developing world, there was barely disguised disappointment — particularly among many Latin Americans, who make up roughly half the world's Catholics — that one of their own was not elected to lead the Roman Catholic Church.

Question: How can those "dark skinned" folk who cry of racism expect to be taken seriously when they exhibit racism themselves? If I said I wanted "one of my own" to be Pope, or Mayor, or Governor I would be called a bigot.

Your ONLY concern should be whether he supports the teachings and policies of the Catholic Church.

[sinkspur]

Your ONLY concern should be whether he supports the teachings and policies of the Catholic Church.

It's natural for these people to hope for one of their own to bring focus to their concerns, as the Poles rejoiced when one of their own was elected in 1978, and helped defeat Soviet communism.

It's also natural to be disappointed in the election to the Papacy of a man whose age is already beyond the lifespan of the average male. Ratzinger's the oldest man to ascend the Chair of Peter in 275 years.

I am hoping that BXVI is a complete surprise!