“I would like to greet all those, including those who follow other religions … to reassure them that the church wants to continue with its open … sincere dialogue looking for the true good of man and of society.”

However, in a blow to the Catholic Church’s influence in it’s most economically powerful country, [according to CNN] “nearly three-quarters of American Catholics say they are more likely to follow their own conscience on “difficult moral questions,” rather than the teachings of the new pope, according to a CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll conducted after the pontiff’s election. Benedict XVI calls for unification of Christians

They say you’re a hard-line conservative, new pope Joseph Ratzinger (a.k.a. Benedict XVI) of Germany. Very old school and drab, a real lover of repressive, bitter, orthodox doctrine. No fun at parties. Catholic in chains. What glorious times of joy and progress the church is in for, millions now say, dejected sarcasm dripping from their once-hopeful mouths.

You know what we wanted? More sex. Love. Good TV. Gender freedom. Better wine. Less sneering doctrine and homophobia and sexism and more fun with condoms and music and spiritual joy. But, instead, we got you.

SFGate: Pointers for the new Pope

Popularity: 1% [?]