LAT covers the pope

Until recently, one of the most pleasant and informative aspects of reading the LAT was the reporting of Tracy Wilkinson, mostly from Rome and mostly about the pope. Her reporting was either pro-church or noncommittal. Now she seems to have a shadow, in the form of a reporter named Patrick J. McDonnell, whose reporting seems to be at least critical of the church and sometimes anti-religious. Since she acquired the shadow, Wilkinson's reporting has also become critical, perhaps because of McDonnell's contributions. Or perhaps editors have influenced them both. In any case, recent reporting on the pope has been more critical than previously.

Today, the LAT reports that only 150,000 came out to see the pope yesterday in Brazil. And Benedict did not give a ring to the poor as his predecessor did. And Benedict was too much like Joseph Ratzinger and too little like John Paul. And besides, the Catholic Church is doomed in Latin America.