What embarrassment? In what quarters? uh, what kind of 'crusade' are they thinking of here? I've not heard of such. Have you heard of anything like that, beyond the Pope's willingness to engage and speak towards, well, pretty much any of the largest issues facing humanity today?
Speaking about or towards issues, is certainly not a military crusade conducted by force or arms.
So no, that can't be it...
Since when did the world become so afraid of words & ideas?
Now if this Pope and those around him see it his and their duty to communicate the message of the Gospel, who can fault them, for that?
The Vatican surely cannot be seen as having attempted to silence Islamics in Europe.
The Pope's own speaking of God, and mankind's relationship to God, is not "launching a crusade" unless it be among the gentlest ones ever undertaken...none need fear it. It won't hurt a soul.
So, the Pope talks about Christ, and what the Christian version of who and what the Lord is, means to the world, even today...what ELSE would any expect him to do?
Start up a pizza parlor???
I believe you answered your own questions in the next sentence. Not all crusades are physical; this one is verbal. And, there is no embarrassment. This pope is the right man for the position at this time, yet one more acknowledgement of how the Holy Spirit continues to work through the Church. God bless Benedict XVI!