Good question, gube. One of those quirks of human nature, I guess. Bakersfield citizens camped out to see "Star Wars." They'll camp out to see the latest celebrity skank. They'll camp out to get a copy of Harry Potter. Maybe it's an excuse to break the tedium and do something novel. Maybe they really are obsessed and have personal issues.

Elvis was once asked about screaming and crying teen girls when he appeared. He replied, of course, he's aware of the emotional reactions. He went on to say that he suspects it was an outlet for other teen angst than just seeing a celebrity; but so what, it's a safe way to release it and nobody gets hurt. 

At the risk of getting consigned to hell, I don't think the pope is any different than the celebrity skank as for as the reasons for attracting crowds are concerned.  

 Why do people kiss the pope's ring?

I was at the Doctors office yesterday and they had CNN playing in the lobby on a wide screen TV.  I was amazed myself at the amount of coverage they were giving the Pope.  It is understandable though, because he is a world leader and the message he is carrying is thirsted for by many in these desperate times.  His message is in a consensus with the leaders of most major faiths.  That are present global society has drifted far from the most basics of moralities.  He speaks against  "Relativism" the belief that there is no truth or right and wrong.  That all values have no absolute meanings ,but only what subjective meanings that we choose to give them; a ideology that  is widely taught in our public schools.  He abhores the acceptance of violence against all his fellow human beings; the defenseless baby in the womb, the soldiers and civilians whose lives are put on line to project one nations foreign policy in places like Iraq and Kosovo, the simple person trying to support his family and who comes to the US seeking to escape dictatorship and economic opportunities.  Such messages, many have forgotten in are shallow, materialistic society.

     On the other hand, he is also the leader of a Christian sect that has separated itself from the Mother Orthodox Church and teaches a lot of errors.  Such as Papal infallibility and the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God.  There have been dialog and visits between Orthodox Patriarchs and the Pope ,but until the the Roman Catholics repent of there errors there can be no communion between the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic  Sect.  While I admire the man and would love to hear him speak and he shares much in common with the Dali Lama; who I also admire.  I would like to meet him ,but would be careful of participating in any false ecumenical services.   

To answer your question of why people kiss the Popes ring.  Kissing and bowing are ancient forms of showing respect.  When I meet an Orthodox Christian Priest; I ask for his blessing and kiss his right hand.  That shows respect for the office that he is ordained into and respect that his hand handles the Sacrament of Holy Communion by which Orthodox Christians partake and share in the very body and blood of Christ.  If I were to meet the Pope I  would probably decline to kiss his ring, unless given a blessing by a Orthodox Priest to do so, because the Father might advise me that it would be disrespectful and prideful not to do so.  I would have to ask that question should such an event ever occure.  Catpaw brings up a good point.  Many have camped out for Harry Potters books, Star Wars, and the opening of the Krispy Kreme Donut shop.  It is against this kind of materialism and false idols that the Pope speaks out against.

 gube: I don't know why anyone kisses the pope's ring but I laugh everytime I see it. The gesture reminds me of a Three Stooges skit. Curley kisses a rich woman's hand and pulls the diamond out of her ring with his teeth.

 It doesn’t surprise me how gube and catpaw think and write. There are many US citizens that feel as they do, it’s their right. I fought for those rights they have today, and that we as American citizens continue to maintain today. This is what makes the United States what it is today, a free society. Still, I feel ashamed for them for they really don’t know what they do. I am a non-believer; however when they write opinions like that in making fun of other peoples beliefs I would think it’s close to blasphemy in a sense. To ridicule and jest in that way is not surprising, but only shows their true colors. I know it not has to do with the color of their skin but how they were nurtured and the influences int their lives. But people have been thinking like that since time has begun, for we not know what we do.

I have no problem with equating the Pope to a NASCAR driver or musician.  But I don't go to either of those for ethical advice, and I don't look to the Primate of Rome for such, either.   To quote Buffoo, they're *ALL* "false idols."

But the truth is, there are no *TRUE* idols.  No, not even on Fox.

Has anyone else had the amusing idea that President Bush might follow Tony Blair's example and convert to the Roman sect when he retires from office.  Just kidding.  President Bush has a history of meeting with leaders of all faiths. 

 Wayfarer, I wish he'd converted years ago.  It certainly would have made him a better President if he'd listened to the Pope on the war.

 Camp out? Far from it; if the guy was standing on the side of the road waving at passing traffic, I wouldn't even slow down to look at him. As for ring-kissing: I cringe. Can you imagine how many yukky, germ-laden lips have been on that thing? And what if he forgets to wash after going to the bathroom? I don't even want to think about it, I may lose my lunch.

 Tom many Orthodox, Protestant, Roman, Jewish, and Muslims leaders signed a joint letter begging the President not to invade Iraq.  Unfortunately, somehow the power to make war has passed from Congress to the Presidency.  Just as the power to make laws has seemed to pass from the legislative to the Judaical branch and let's not even begin to talk state rights.  I don't think that government as laid out by the US Constitution was practiced past 10 years of its ratification, if at all. 

 This pope's visit is not much different from the last one. His message is return to morality, don't do anything that's fun; birth control is a no-no; say a mass to a crowd; hop back on a plane; everybody goes back to what they're doing before he came.

Almost like it's humoring the man rather than taking notes on what he says. Which is to be expected. The Church is not a democracy;  America is, albeit an eroded one.

I believe that Galvandr may have hit the nail on the head.  Many People seem to have had the sense if the sacred beaten out of them by our materialistic culture.  Irregardless of how the secular acts or continues to slumber unto death.  There were many Christians struggling to live a holy life before the Pope came and perhaps he inspired new hope in his flock and others.  But to a struggling Christian there is no same old; same old.  Every moment is a moment we can repent of our selfish and evil ways and turn back to God.  Christian life is a continual process of falling and rising again.  Sanctifying everything in our life by calling on Gods blessings on what ever task is before us.  A continual process of growth into the archetypal image of the New Adam given to us by Jesus Christ.  This world will pass in flames quickly ,but a Christians eternal home is in the heavenly kingdom. 

 Yes, if it was at the Beverly Hills Sheraton and the parade route included the beach.

 galvandr what part of my post made fun of someone Else's beliefs? All I did was ask a question and was looking for some feed back. I don't see how that is poking fun at anyone. And to say my comments are a result of my influences is funny because my father is an Episcopal priest so I'd say I had a pretty good role model. And I never said that I wouldn't go see the Pope all IO said was I don't get it.
galvandr you took what I said and twisted it up and then you added chit to it that I never said.  Don't put words in my mouth.