The pope acknowledged--as he has often lately--that Catholics could be better stewards of the environment, according to the Times of India. He inserted a "but," however, arguing that "a materialistic world" that denies God is the greater danger to the planet. The pope is right on both counts, of course, and the two concerns are connected.

G8 muckety-mucks meeting in Japan to discuss global warming were roundly scolded by Catholic leaders from around the globe this week, including himself Pope Benedict.