I hope Bennedict has as much success with young people over his tenure as John Paul did. It really helps the religion to energize the youth.
What do you make of his comments about governments needing to offer more assistance to large families? Do we really need more kids? He said something about how children represent "hope for the future"--always a cheap appeal in my estimation. Indeed less children would be beneficial to the developing countries in which Catholicism has become so prevalent. As for the secularization of Europe, my thoughts are varied. Culturally, we may have less religiously inspired musical works, less paintings of "God stuff", and certainly massive portions of collective resources no longer go to building huge temples to a Lord that only some (now, at least) pray to. All of these things I enjoy of course, but I think most serious students of cultural history would agree that modernism has its merits, too (especially for multicultural societies). As for issues of war and peace, religion has been historically toxic in affairs of state. For a secularist with a genuine regard for history, I think religion should be left where it is for Europe--in the past.
I'd agree with Tyler to an extent, although I think Europe, at the very least, needs to be careful not to cross the line from secularism to religious suppression. I think France did that with its "head scarf ban," which actually banned all blatant displays of religion by students in public schools. I don't think it is too absurd (maybe a little) to place this restriction on teachers, but students should have the same rights to free expression, certainly in that regard, as any other person in society.
Though I disagree with the Pope (and the Catholic Church on the whole) regarding certain matters (yay for the Reformation 
), I sincerely hope this Pope can keep working toward the same unity and reconciliation as John Paul II.
Well, I think it is sad that secularization has gone so far as to not allow French schoolchildren to wear religious symbols. Of course, it is all highly reaction to the Church and the wars of faith, but I don't think more reigion in the public square (such that all are treated equal) is a bad thing.
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