Sorry, I have to disagree with you Guest 11:33 AM. Many of us in the West are becoming more and more disconnected from the tv phenomenon with the advent of the internet (thankfully!), and so aren't as prone to that sort of brainwashing about public figures.

Many of us can stand back from the media hysteria factor involved in all of these "public mourning rituals". Because we don't worship in the Church of 24/7 Perpetual Breaking News and Unholy Liberal Alliances, we can still see the forest for the trees.

There is much more going on here than I think you are recognizing. This papal funeral has demonstrated that Diana worship wasn't a one off phenomenon, and has at least anecdotally proved that evidence-resistant beliefs cherished by those who normally demand facts to support their theses, is pretty much running rampant along with this trend. Hence the "the pope wasn't such a bad guy" arguments, and the complete and total lack of reporting on the pope, Terri Schiavo, et al from a secular, skeptical perspective regarding these superstitious religious beliefs.