Other than weighing in on immigration–which, sorry Tanc, has dropped out of public discourse–Pope Benedict stayed steadfastly above the political fray during his visit. Yes, there was the inclusion of references to “life” in his list of things that citizens should support. But nothing about what kinds of candidates Catholics should vote for, or about the appropriateness of Catholic politicians who support abortion rights receiving Communion. In his Yankee Stadium homily, he noted that the United States was a country where Catholics had found not only religious freedom but also the freedom to “participate fully in civic life.” He said that “praying fervently for the coming of the Kingdom” meant, among other things, “rejecting a false dichotomy between faith and political life.” This election season, that’s about like standing up for motherhood, for apple pie.