If the Catholic church did not want Papal selection to be a spectator sport

[cthulu2016]

then it would not be a spectator sport.

There is no indignity in the news covering the papal selection as a spectacle.

It is designed to be that sort of spectacle.


The selection of a Pope is a largely political act that, historically, had immense real-world ramifications.

People wanted to know in a timely manner.

Protocols were developed... and if those protocols look like reality TV or a game show it is because reality TV and game shows are derived from culture.

There was similar suspense, and similar crowds awaiting an announcement, when a queen gave birth. Whether it was alive or dead, male or female, was of immense practical importance to the realm.

There were also crowds waiting to hear that royal marriages had been consummated. A ghastly intrusive interest in royal sex? Yes... but also a recognition that the lavish state church marriage didn't mean much legally until the marriage was consummated. (Before consummation it could be annulled with ease.) And yes, there was sometimes a panel of officials who witnessed the consummation one way or another... the act might be a legal signifier of an allegiance or peace between two nations.

Consider what it means for a de facto king to die in a system with no clear line of succession. It's very suspenseful stuff! Great sums of money, and even lives hang in the balance.

When a Soviet leader died state radio would not announce the death, but would play somber classical music until they knew who the new leader was. When you think about it, it was not safe for anyone to say anything until they knew who the new leader was going to be.

Very theatrical. Very human. And somewhat like a game show.

[dballance]

1. It is too SAD that the Catholic Church believes it is relevent.

It is so very, very sad that men in such silly robes believe they have the least bit of sway upon others and that they may hide underneath their vestments the cloak of the propriety they no longer uphold. Why people still contribute money to that abominable organization is really beyond my belief. They have more than proved themselves as a despicable organization that is really okay with the sexual abuse of young people.

Your vestments should all be black in tribute to the real world in which you have been a facilitator of evil.

[NightWatcher]

2. Of course they're into "big deals". Look at how the dress and carry on

This is nothing about religion, but a group's selecting and promoting of a dude to near godlike status (in their eyes). It's pomp and bs of the highest order. We should only be watching so that we may mock them.