I think the election of Pope Benedict whatever after John Paul II showed that the Catholic church definitely wants to steer itself in the conservative, medieval values direction. I would be extremely surprised if they elect a reformer, however, I think that is the smart move in a political sense. Since the Catholic church is comprised of nothing more than politicians draped in the cloth, however, maybe they will elect a reformer.
Even if the open windows of science at first make us shiver after the cozy indoor warmth of traditional humanizing myths, in the end the fresh air brings vigor, and the great spaces have a splendor of their own - Bertrand Russell
