Actually I think he was in the Hitler Youth at a time when such membership was mandatory. During WWII he was an 18 year old pulled into service during the waning days. His family were anti-Nazis who had to move on several occasions to get out of trouble with the local party.
But IMHO the bigger message was that the College did not want to see any major changes. It is a sign that internally, neither the radicals or the reactionaries believe they have the strength to set policy. Until the power and direction of the College (remember it was recently expanded enormously) works itself out, they did not want to risk a younger man, one who might serve as Pope for a quarter century or more.
This message has been edited by jar, 04-19-2005 08:06 PM
Aslan is not a Tame Lion