The Waterkooler

As a Roman Catholic cardinal, the new Pope Benedict XVI warned American voters against departing from church teaching at the ballot box, drew criticism from victims of clerical sex abuse and opposed married or women priests. And even publicly called for the denial of Communion to John Kerry for being pro choice

In the news he has been called "very conservative," and a "hardliner." CBS has even called him God's Rotweiller So, just how radical is the new Pope?

Michael Novack says "Critics who describe newly chosen Pope Benedict XVI as an "authoritarian," a "watchdog" and, most peculiarly, a "neoconservative," are seriously "misreading the man".

So what is Pope Benedict's vision of the Church?

Benedict was the oldest pontiff elected in 275 years. One young priest from Cologne, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press in Rome that Benedict has trouble sleeping and has a "delicate constitution." The pope's brother expressed a similar concern in a television interview. So, are you prepared to watch another Pope grow old and die before your eyes?

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