"How many divisions has the Pope?" sneered Stalin. A few decades later John Paul II answered him, and the Soviet empire crumbled. Even the Russians didn't believe their own propaganda any more. Three men led that fight: the Pope, Ronald Reagan, and Lech Walesa. So we have seen that the moral authority of the Pope can be a tremendous force for good in our time.

Which makes it intriguing that Pope Benedict yesterday

invited Muslims... to join a dialogue of cultures that agrees the concept of Islamic "holy war" is unreasonable and against God's nature.

You can't put it more plainly than that. John Paul also had the gift of cutting through a fog of lies. The Euro Left could no longer rail against Ronald Reagan as a war—mongering cowboy —— sound familiar? —— who just didn't understand the progressive intentions of the Soviet Union. In Italy the Communist Party would have lost votes by attacking the Pope. So they allowed his message to be heard. It was the beginning of the end.

Today is not much different. The Left still controls the Euromedia, like the BBC and Der Spiegel. They want to drive a wedge between Europe and the US on the terrorist threat. The American media also do their best to muddy the waters about Islam and "holy" wars,  so that today, millions of Americans are still confused.

The Pope can cut through some of that fog. Even the National Council of Churches might listen.

Pope Benedict's challenge puts the ball squarely in the Muslim court. Muslim leaders around the world constantly wink at bloody terrorism. They are now in a triple bind. If they ignore the Pope's call, even Europeans will wonder why. If they deny supporting 'holy' wars, they pull out the rug from the violent jihadis. And if they openly applaud holy war against the infidels, they let the cat out of the bag.

Not bad for one day's work. If he keeps it up, Benedict could become another John Paul II. And that would be a blessing to all faiths.

James Lewis   9 23 06