NEWS ABOUT BENEDICT

Stray thoughts

-It is certainly wonderful to see St. Peter's Square so jam packed for the canonization Mass today. It is uplifting to think that so many people traveled great distances and showed such remarkable enthusiasm and delight over five exemplary persons who, in some cases, lived hundreds of years ago. Such faith and joy is inspirational.

-The Israelis need to quit complaining and quarreling about the costs of the papal trip to Israel and finish all the preparations already, especially proper security measures. They will get all sorts of great media coverage out of the trip and probably increased tourism dollars as well.

-If the Australians could move dozens of expensive race horses off the track that was the site of the big World Youth Day Mass, the Israelis can move a herd of goats out of the Garden of Gethsemane. My gosh. Hire a shepherd, for heaven's sake.