"Speaks to the inner adult in all of us"

Great column today by Peggy Noonan on Opinion Journal

"Did you see them running to St. Peter's Square as the bells began to toll?"

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"Why did they run?"

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"We want someone who stands for what is difficult and right, what is impossible but true. Being human we don't always or necessarily want to live by the truth or be governed by it. But we are grateful when someone stands for it. We want him to be standing up there on the balcony."

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"The choosing of Benedict XVI, a man who is serious, deep and brave, is a gift. He has many enemies. They imagine themselves courageous and oppressed. What they are is agitated, aggressive, and well-connected.

"They want to make sure his papacy begins with a battle. They want to make sure no one gets a chance to love him. Which is too bad because even his foes admit he is thoughtful, eager for dialogue, sensitive, honest.

"They want to make sure that when he speaks and writes, the people of the world won't come running.

"What to do to help? See his enemies for what they are, and see him for what he is. Read him--he is a writer, a natural communicator of and thinker upon challenging ideas. Listen to him. Consult your internal compass as you listen, and see if it isn't pointing true north.

"Look at what he said at the beginning of the papal conclave: It is our special responsibility at this time to be mature, to believe as adults believe. 'Being an "adult" means having a faith which does not follow the waves of today's fashions or the latest novelties.' Being an adult is loving what is true and standing with it."