Bush met with Pope Benedict for the first time yesterday after his successful G8 meeting. By successful, I mean he was able to get through the photo-op without committing to anything substantial while world leaders and the American media praised him for being a reasonable man.

Pope Benedict said he hopes for “a regional and negotiated solution to the conflicts that afflict” the Middle East. Steering the conversation away from the genocide he has caused in that region, Bush touted his efforts in Africa. The G8 has pledged $60 billion to fight diseases in Africa, yet much of that sum consists of already existing pledges.

Despite the Christian mission which President Bush has tried to attach to the “war on terror,” the Vatican has held a consistent stance of disapproval towards our holy war. Bush said his intention would be “mainly to listen” to the pope despite the fact that he hasn’t listened to the Vatican since his term began - not on the war, not on aggression towards Lebanon and Palestine, not on the border wall, and not on banning cluster bombs.