The Rational Papaturka

Thomas Kleine-Brockhoff at PostGlobal

"The Rational Papaturka

Germany/USA - Now the Turkish media call him 'Papaturka'. The Pope surprised the world when he arrived in Turkey without a crucifix around his neck, when he was seen waving a Turkish flag and, most importantly, when he reportedly endorsed Turkish membership to the European Union.

Undoubtedly, he does something courageous when he takes on Europe's culturalists and their standard-bearer. We are witnessing the battle of the German titans: Joseph Ratzinger v. Helmut Kohl. While still in office, the Chancellor had brought some honesty to the debate about Turkeys accession to the European Union when he famously declared Europe to be a 'Christian Club'. Kohl, the uber-culturalist, said what many people in Europe think, but don't dare to say." Comment EU-Digest: If we were critical at first of the Pope's visit to Turkey we now say; "hats off for a job well done in Turkey"