Papal Resignation

Re “Second Act” [Feb. 25]: The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI provides Catholicism with an opportunity. Catholics now have the ability to raise their ethical and moral tenets to match the modern societies they claim to represent. This includes granting ecclesiastical equality to women and forsaking celibacy. Perhaps then can they put aside their embalmed prejudiced canons and implement Christ’s foremost teaching that all are created equal in the eyes of God.
Richard J. Harvie, RIVERTON, AUSTRALIA

Liberal Catholics and enemies of the Catholic Church may be clinking glasses now. But Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation and retirement at a location within eyeshot and earshot of the Vatican proper should make his detractors even more wary. He is not only infallible, he is nobody’s fool.
Cosmas Odoemena, LAGOS, NIGERIA

We learn a valuable lesson from Benedict’s resignation: it is time for the Catholic Church to appoint younger Cardinals for eventual selection to the highest office. Papal duties are demanding and rigorous, including conducting Mass in foreign countries and globe-trotting. In the past we’ve had octogenarian and septuagenarian Popes. It must be noted that age — despite the value of experience — is often a barrier to efficiency.
Alnashir D. Walji, NAIROBI

Battle at the Bolshoi
Re “Dirty Dancing” [Feb. 25]: How sad it is to read Simon Shuster’s report on the bitter feud at the Bolshoi Ballet; how poignant are the stunning photographs by Yuri Kozyrev. Russian ballet history is no stranger to infighting, as the break between Nijinsky and Diaghilev attests to. But the current tragic episode of vitriol and violence has taken things to an unprecedented level of horror. The Bolshoi’s troubles are not just a local affair of artistic egos running amok, but a cause for concern for all who care about the soul and future of a major global cultural institution. One can only hope and pray for a speedy resolution to what must be living hell, for the dancers especially.
William Keenan, NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND

Italian Politics
Italy’s politics has been in shambles [Impossible Italy, Feb. 25]. Now the fragile nation is suffering unceremoniously from a hung parliament. Comedian Beppe Grillo’s surprise success in the election speaks volumes, and chances are that long-frustrated voters might be taking the election as a practical joke. This does not bode well for Italy. The worrying part is if the nation’s economy totally fails, the days of the euro zone (and subsequently, the E.U.) would be numbered.
John Spencer, LONDON

I cannot understand why the story dismisses the Five Star Movement with a wave of the hand, judging its spokesman as an “angry comedian” who is swallowing protest votes, when there is a clear, detailed program, decided by ordinary citizens and which has even been put into action. The Italian public is tired of political corruption and abuse and wants the opportunity to have careers and jobs. I challenge you to write an article on the Five Star Movement, how it works, its principles and what it has achieved so far.
Yolande Nguyen, OSIMO, ITALY

The article did not even mention the possibility of what was known as “the historic compromise.” Former Prime Minister Aldo Moro almost succeeded in creating a groundbreaking coalition between the Christian Democrat Party and the Communist Party. Unfortunately, he was kidnapped and murdered in 1978, supposedly by the Red Brigades, a far-left terrorist group. I was in Italy when this happened. I saw the reaction of despair in the Italian people who had dreamed a beautiful dream, but were plunged into chaos as the usual powers took over. It was an important moment in Italian history, one that should have been mentioned. The Italians are far more civilized and complicated than you give them credit for.
Constance Rodrigue, PAIMPOL, FRANCE

Asteroids and Fighter Jets
Re “The Most Expensive Weapon Ever Built” [Feb. 25]: I would question the wisdom of America, spending $400 billion on a weapon of destruction (the F-35 fighter jet) that will be nearly obsolete before it is completed. It would seem worthier to divert this excessive amount of money and labor to the Near Earth Object Program, which might eventually save the entire planet. An object of destruction, or of peace and earthly preservation — the choice is yours, America.
Joe Tarrant, CORK, IRELAND

Trade Wars
Re Briefing [Feb. 25]: True, China exports slightly more than the U.S., no doubt because the former’s labor cost is considerably lower. Also true, China’s GDP, though less than half that of the U.S., could reach the same level in a matter of decades. But the main statistic that has been omitted is GDP per capita: $48,000 in the U.S. and less than $6,000 in China. That better reflects the standard of living in each country.
David Guilbert Rozenman, TURRAMURRA, AUSTRALIA