Recent U.S. Trip Hints at Benedict's Softer Side

During recent trip to U.S., Pope Benedict Showed Gentler Side
By MARY PFLUM and STEPHANIE DAHLE
May 2, 2008

After Pope Benedict XVI's wildly successful U.S. tour, many Catholics are rethinking their views of the leader. Even Vatican insiders are examining a new side of Benedict.

During his recent visit, Benedict showed a side the public had never seen before. He became the first pope to visit an American synagogue and noticeably doted on babies.

Most unexpectedly, Benedict repeatedly apologized for the priest sexual abuse scandal and even met with five of the victims in a private session.

"I think that people that were expecting him to be the disciplinarian that he had been before are very surprised," said the Rev. James Martin, associate editor of America Magazine. "I think this is the real Benedict." the rest