If the beliefs and disciplines of the Catholic faith were merely a private concern to the world's 1.2 billion baptised Catholics, the pontiff's remoteness from life's realities might not be of great consequence.

ECONOMIST: Pope Benedict

On an issue of such great consequence, the people's voice must be heard.

CNN: Transcript of State of the Union

The Great Recession is the big event and these wild cards are possible because they will be a consequence of the biggest economic Snafu since WWII.

FORBES: The Economic Wild Cards For 2013