Pope Benny's American Birthday Bash

Ok, I know not all ye socks have a great appreciation for the Catholic Church.

And, truth be told, the church has given you plenty o' reasons for that viewpoint over recent years.

But, I for one have been pleasantly surprised by Pope Benedict XVI's willingness to confront those reasons head-on during his visit to the United States this week.

What struck me most as I listened to the commentators observing the pope's birthday celebrations today was the statistic that only 11% of European Catholics attend Mass on a regular basis.

In the U.S. of A., that figure is 25%.

So, perhaps, the Holy Father isn't just visiting us because we know how to throw a party. Maybe, he's taking notes on what the Church is doing right over here so he can carry those lessons back home to the Vatican?!

Just one sock's conjecture.