Making nice with the pope

The pontiff formerly known as Joseph Ratzinger may have succeeded in swaying Catholics toward George W. Bush in last year’s election when he wrote a letter urging U.S. bishops to deny Communion to politicians who support abortion rights. But as the Chicago Sun Times notes this morning, Kerry, a lifelong Catholic, is making nice with the new pope — at least sort of. In a statement on the selection of Ratzinger, Kerry said: “The election of a new pope is a great moment of hope, renewal and possibility for the Catholic Church.”