An e-mail from a friend in Rome last night:

Just got back from a late night Benedict XVI drinking
party at the local pub.
I had safely predicted the 1) “winner”, 2) papal name,
3) and ballot to the owner yesterday, so free drinks
for me.
Rome is like a Saturday night – a very busy Saturday
night.
People who have not been in Church for years are in
the streets celebrating, because a 78 year old German
guy is their new bishop.
Many of my [hard-core] friends are making
comments about that – but I love it. I love that the
Catholic identity of this city permeates everone, even
the neo-pagans. I’ve always said until you understand
the guy who gives up adultery on Fridays during Lent*,
you will never truly understand the Catholic Church.
People are singing, dancing, toasting. These are not
religious conservatives, they are just people.
Habemus Papam!
It doesn’t matter what your relationship is with the
Church, it still means all is right in the world!
* Remember, Friday is pretty good adultery day…It’s
not like he’s taking off Tuesday, or something.