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# Fun Reading on the New Pope
- URL: https://mereorthodoxy.com/fun-reading-on-the-new-pope/
- Published: 2005-04-19T21:09:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-20T21:40:40.000Z
- Description: Fun Reading on the New Pope
- Author: Mere Orthodoxy
- Tags: Matthew Lee Anderson, Philosophy

First, read Andrew Sullivan's responses to the announcement of the new pope, [here](http://www.andrewsullivan.com/index.php?dish%5Finc=archives/2005%5F04%5F17%5Fdish%5Farchive.html&ref=mereorthodoxy.com#111393063738525116) and [here](http://www.andrewsullivan.com/index.php?dish%5Finc=archives/2005%5F04%5F17%5Fdish%5Farchive.html&ref=mereorthodoxy.com#111393353063633811) and [here.](http://www.andrewsullivan.com/index.php?dish%5Finc=archives/2005%5F04%5F17%5Fdish%5Farchive.html&ref=mereorthodoxy.com#111394343040013736)

Then read Bainbridge's response [here.](http://www.professorbainbridge.com/2005/04/andrew%5Fsullivan.html?ref=mereorthodoxy.com) He politely says what everyone is thinking.

Then check out Dr. Reynolds riff on Sullivan's second post [here.](http://www.johnmarkreynolds.com/2005/04/why-benedict-was-great-choice.html?ref=mereorthodoxy.com) The money quote:

**Sullivan: His theology is indeed distinguished, if somewhat esoteric and at times a little odd.**

***Reynolds: Any bets on how many Ratzinger books Sullivan has actually read?***  
  
I'm going to aim high and guess two.

Perhaps [RomanCatholicBlog](http://romancatholicblog.typepad.com/roman%5Fcatholic%5Fblog/2005/04/what%5Fdid%5Fandrew.html?ref=mereorthodoxy.com) says it best:

*Then again, how else would Sullivan react? Short of Benedict XVI had come out on the balcony and declared, "Everything I said before about homosexuality? Fuggedaboutit! Gays can get married!", nothing would have made Sullivan happy.*

To quote [The Blogger](https://mereorthodoxy.com/wp-admin/www.instapundit.com), "Heh."