The leader of the Roman Catholic Church doesn't do political endorsements, and Pope Benedict XVI isn't likely to make an exception for the Tea Party movement, no matter how much momentum the populist tax revolt gains as the fall election campaign picks up speed.

But after watching Benedict during his visit to Britain this weekend -- widely considered a success in the face of low expectations -- Kathryn Jean Lopez, editor-at-large of National Review Online, saw both the Tea Party and the pontiff as calling Americans to a spiritual and political battle against big government and on behalf of greater freedom.