More reasons to like the new Pope

At least he'll keep his nose and his religion out of American politics.

Oh, wait.... possibly not.

New Pope intervened against Kerry in 2004 US election

WASHINGTON (AFP) - German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the Vatican theologian who was elected Pope Benedict XVI, intervened in the 2004 US election campaign ordering bishops to deny communion to abortion rights supporters including presidential candidate John Kerry.

Feel the love, people! WOO HOO!

In a June 2004 letter to US bishops enunciating principles of worthiness for communion recipients, Ratzinger specified that strong and open supporters of abortion should be denied the Catholic sacrament, for being guilty of a "grave sin."

He specifically mentioned "the case of a Catholic politician consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws," a reference widely understood to mean Democratic candidate Kerry, a Catholic who has defended abortion rights.

The letter said a priest confronted with such a person seeking communion "must refuse to distribute it."

Is it any wonder that Bush was cheering for this guy to ascend to the Papacy? This story just gets better and better.

TalkLeft has the scoop, and a lot more background information. Pay them a visit.