Mail Call: A Global Problem

Evaluating Pope Benedict
The author of "Why This Pope Doesn't Connect" (April 21/April 28) states that Benedict pales in comparison with his predecessor in a number of respects including "looks, vitality, charisma, showmanship, tenure and popular appeal." Is she referring to the head of the Roman Catholic Church or the lead in a high-school rock band? Surely these specific characteristics are of scant importance in a person leading the largest Christian denomination on the planet. She goes on to state that certain other elements make him unsuitable or unpopular as an ideal pope, including his unfortunate visage, his predilection for traditional papal fashion and the fact that he served as John Paul's theological "enforcer." Again, one can only wonder why anyone would deem these features important in determining Benedict's acceptance among Roman Catholic Christians. Surely his religious devotion, intelligence and peculiar application of church dogma would be of far greater interest. The article further opines that the Roman Church operates in a "chaotic world" and then ends by saying that American Catholics understand that they will not be satisfied in their desire for the church to change. It does leave one wondering whether the world would not be less chaotic if it was less American and more in line with church teaching.
Johan Marnewick
Johannesburg, South Africa

George Weigel's "How Benedict XVI Will Make History" (April 21/April 28) may well become a historic piece of journalism. I'm not Roman Catholic, don't understand many of the church's traditions nor condone the transgressions of sinful priests. However, the pope does retain great moral authority. Pope Benedict's predecessor played a huge role in the fall of communism. Benedict, as Weigel notes, "is thinking in centuries here." This pope is using all the moral authority at his disposal to reach across lines of historic division and show that Muslims can and should be welcome in a world of peaceful coexistence where freedom of faith becomes the cornerstone in a world of lasting peace.
Dale Ledbetter
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

What Lisa Miller misses in her article "Why This Pope Doesn't Connect" is a common misperception about Roman Catholicism—that our pope is supposed to represent us. How could a billion believers with different cultures, languages and perspectives have as their head someone who "connects" with all? Rather, we trust that God gives us the pope we need for the times. The pope is meant to be more of an instrument of God to challenge and inspire, instead of a leader in the sense Americans know. Perhaps Benedict's de-emphasis of "feelings" in his persona or message is actually a positive point to be pondered.
Brittany Doucette
Indianapolis, Indiana

Not the Burj Dubai
The building in the lead photograph accompanying our April 21/April 28 article "Beyond the Glitz" was misidentified. It is not the Burj Dubai, the tallest building the world, but the Burj Al Arab, a luxury hotel in Dubai. NEWSWEEK REGRETS the error.

Mercury in Childhood Vaccines
In "Mysteries and Complications" (March 24), we said that the MMR vaccine once contained thimerosal. It did not. Other childhood vaccines, however, did contain the mercury-based preservative. NEWSWEEK regrets the error.

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