Lost in the discussion over whether the selection of Pope Benedict 16th signals a broad, sweeping turn to the right by the church is this: We have a German pope.

Many will look at Benedict and see a dour, white-haired, 78-year old who shows little outward charisma. More than whether or not he is conservative - or, as Andrew Sullivan derisively calls Benedict, "the Grand Inquisitor" - it's important to consider whether the new pope will inspire.

(Face it: Pope John Paul II selected just about everyone in the Conclave of Cardinals. The chances of someone much more liberal than him were nil.)

Will Pope Benedict travel the world? Will he speak to people in their native tongue? Will he name energetic and joyful Cardinals? Will he insist on immediate changes to the liturgy? Will he reach out to the youth of the church in a meaningful way?

Let's face it: Unlike 27 and a half years ago, there are no 72-point headlines focusing on the new pope's heritage. But Benedict is now, simply put, the most powerful German of this generation. Will the world be quick to embrace him, or proceed with caution? Will his critics be quick to stereotype or slur him?

Only hours into Benedict's pontificate, there are more questions than answers. One question that never really existed was whether or not the cardinals would select a conservative pope. But the biggest question of them all is perhaps this one: Can this pope, a German pope, inspire the church enough to make his conservative theology relevant?