"The de-politicization of the papacy has one side effect that makes me nervous: the "cult" of the papacy. After the Pope ceased to be a political leader, be became regarded as a holy man - and many popes have not lived up to that expectation."

If the pope is so de-politicsied, then why is he making proclamations on the legislation of a democracy that is none of his business? Of course, you could argue that he's only preaching to the Catholic congregation but this law will effect us all and like it or not most people don't go to church in this country any more, and the pope is an utter irrelevance.