I wonder why people can't find value in discussing him from the viewpoint of an honest and balanced assessment, instead of spewing all these half-truths and veiled bigotry.

Partly I think for many people, it's because they are so prejudiced (and so busy looking for opportunities to stir the sh*t), that they can't be bothered to do any actual research or think about the possibility of actual facts. The Pope's bio was a fascinating read. Biggest surprise-- he was human and really loved people, human beings, in general and in specific, just as they were. Earthy as well as a mystic.

The slams about old celibate men not understanding sexuality issues-- how many people know that long before he became Pope, his curiosity about people and the human condition led him to seek out young people and couples for long, frank discussions of all aspects of human relationships? Celibate he was (well, as far as I know), but not out of being anti-sex. In him it was more a case of being wired to be totally dedicated to one pursuit, and choosing things that came along that path.

~Susan