One remarkable thing about the funeral observances for Pope John Paul II is the immense and unexpected outpouring of public affection for this man. It seems to have come as a complete surprise to political, media, and religious elites, all of whom seem to have only gradually awakened to the scale of the phenomenon and then played "catch up" as they sought to cope with the situation.
Roman and Vatican officials confess that they were completely unprepared for the crowds of millions that showed up to say farewell to John Paul. We were treated to the spectacle of the British royal family dithering as to whether or not to postpone Chuck and Camilla's wedding while leftists who abhorred John Paul's politics castigated the royals for their insensitivity. Chuck eventually caved and went personally to Rome. What else could he do, given the public mood?
And there was unseemly and public squabbling within the American political elite over who was to be included in the official delegation as politicians recognized the value of being seen there. Media types marveled at the size of the viewing audience for the Pope's funeral, which was estimated at two billion people. Islamic radicals denounced the scope of coverage in the Arab media. The whole thing became a spectacle that transcended anything we have seen to date.
Is this due simply to the emergence of an integrated global media network -- something equivalent to the worldwide impact of Diana's death or the "Rose" and "Orange" revolutions in Georgia and Ukraine [to consider the ridiculous and the sublime aspects of the phenomenon]?
Or is it testimony to the powerful and personal effect John Paul's life and works has had on people around the world?
Or is it a manifestation of a global revival of religious sentiment -- something that western secular elites find uncomfortable to contemplate?
Or what?
I would welcome anyone's thoughts on the matter.
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