Galileo protest halts pope's visit

Apparently, Pope Benedict, when he was still Cardinal Ratzinger, called the trial of Galileo "reasonable and just"

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Catholicism is the only true church, Vatican declares

As much as I disagree with the opinion that Catholicism is the only one true church, I can see why it is that the Pope had to make this declaration.

The Catholic Church was built on Matthew 16:18, in which Jesus states: "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock (Gk petra) I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it."

Peter is considered by the Catholic Church to be the first Pope, and every Pope since then in chosen in what is known as "Apostolic Succession". In other words, the current Pope is considered the latest "apostle" in a long line. Therefore, unless another church can prove "Apostolic Succession", then in it not really a church. That rule covers all of Christiandom, what about Jews, Muslims, Pagans, etc.?

The Nicene Creed establishes that there is "one true God", and that Jesus was His "only begotten Son". The Church cannot really compromise on this point without going against the Nicene Creed, and I can't see the Catholic Church ever doing that.

So, where does that leave the rest of us non-Catholics? Well, as I see it, if you are Catholic, you can go ahead and believe what your church tells you. Fortunately, however, I happen to live in one of the countries of the world that will allow me, for the most part, to choose my religion, and my religion happens to believe this:

There are many gods, and they are all valid and true.
There are many churches, and they, too, are all valid and true.
And I believe this as strongly as any Catholic believes otherwise, and perhaps more than most.

Therefore, it doesn't really matter to me what Catholics believe, as long as I continue to not live in a theocracy.

Lets keep America free of theocracy, shall we?