Why so much coverage of the new pope?

[SherlockHolmes]

Can't believe the BBC with their Breaking News. Disrupting the schedule for something that barely anyone gives a toss about.

Roughly 8% of the UK is Catholic so surely a piece on the evening news is plenty?

Ditto US political stories.

I think what you've failed to understand is that people can care about things that they're not directly a part of. I'm not Catholic, but I was interested to hear who the new Pope is. I'm not American, but I was interested to hear about the election.

There are plenty of other channels to watch and things to do if what's on doesn't appeal to you. I don't much care for Eastenders, for example, so I don't watch it.

You have very shallow friends and acquaintances, then, OP.

Even staunchly atheist DH is interested. I think that the timing of the death of Pope Francis and the direction the cardinals chose to take the church was of particular significance to many outside of the Catholic church, this time around, due to the sheer scale of unsettling events in the world. This was every bit as significant as all the wars and national and international politics.

There are 1.4 billion Roman Catholics worldwide.

This pope is only 69 years old and may be pope for two decades (or longer…).

He will have a profound influence on many issues that matter to women. Abortion, acceptance of divorce, women priests, how to bring a patriarchal and reactionary institution into the 21st century… Not to mention the investigation of historic and current sexual abuse and how perpetrators are dealt with.

So yes, as a non-Catholic I do indeed give a toss!

There are 1.4 billion catholics in the world.

If that group was a country it would be vying for top spot as largest population worldwide.

So the new leader of that group of people is significant on a global scale. It’s also generally accepted that there are catholics in every permanently populated country in the world.

You don’t get news thats much more world wide than that. Regardless of whether it interests you, it’s pretty up there are globally significant matters go.

This is probably going to be the person who mediates current and future wars through their peace processes.
its interesting that he’s American with multiple European heritage, knowledgeable on the South American situation and a protégé of Pope Francis. Also been a cardinal for 2 (?) years so not embroiled in church politics.
Young enough to spend the next 20 years in office.

John Paul I was 68 and was only pope for 33 days 🤷‍♀️

I'm an atheist.

I think the selection of a new pope is a pretty important historical event that is significant for a huge chunk of the world's population. I would expect extensive coverage.

He has lambasted JD Vance on Twitter. Ditto Donald Trump.
Interesting times.
But maybe of zero interest to the op.

I've really enjoyed the coverage. I'm not Catholic or even religious.

same, not saying it is a good news story but it is not war

I watched it and was struck by his apparent humility. But what really moved me was the joy and devotion on the faces in the crowd. That said, I was a bit dismayed when I later read about his very conservative views on LGBT+ issues, especially around marriage. I can only hope that his experience as Pope might lead to a more compassionate understanding over time

@SherlockHolmes , perhaps give your head a wobble and accept just cos you arent interested, there's a lot that are?

I could say the same about the coverage of Liam Payne - I never knew who he was, but I gather he was important to a lot of others and that his death raised a lot of questions

Quite. It does show the importance of being informed.

I thought the coverage was fascinating, and it made me curious about the whole process. The people in the crowd were excited to be there for that moment.

People are not being defensive.

You are not understanding the impact of the Pope worldwide, beyond religion. That is what posters are explaining

There was huge coverage of Trump’s election. We watch the French presidential elections in vast coverage. The Pope affects and influences government decisions in many countries with largely Catholic populations.

Also the whole conclave / smoke thing gives it great populist interest.

I am an atheist but have taken a great interest.

No need to be parochial about it.

Good points, @BangersAndGnash . It's important not to be in a bubble. This is a significant event and naturally the coverage dominated the schedules.

If there was one central leader of Islam who all Muslims followed then I would certainly expect similar coverage. The Pope is an enormously influential figure with a role in global politics. It's huge news for all people, not just Catholics (Im not Catholic BTW).

You sound ignorant with equally ignorant friends. I'm not a Catholic but it is historic. There are 1.2 billions Catholics around the world, there are only 70 ish million Brits in comparison. He has a huge influence on the way of the world the next few years.

I’m an Orthodox Jew by birth but atheist all my life. I’m very interested in the coverage for all the reasons others have given. I’m very concerned as to how he will challenge and try to tackle the long standing child abuse by priests and nuns, so have been trying to find out more about this new pope in the hope he will be a positive agent for change . A progressive accountable leader committed to honesty, zero tolerance and accountability would be massive .

Sikhism - no central leader
Islam - no central leader
Church of England - pretty big news

"ditto US political stories".
Whether we like it or not, the politics of the USA has a huge impact on our lives.

I turn off. I have zero interest in the pope

I am a Christian but not catholic and I am interested in it all. Not just the selection but the process of it all. Surely even as someone with no skin in the game the whole process of selection is a weird and wonderful piece of tradition? I mean it was interesting enough for a film to be made about it.

I'd forgotten John Paul I was only 68 and only lived a month. Let's hope Leo has good security.....if Trump and Vance are on your case 😱

Don't be daft OP.

I am not religious in the slightest but I can completely see why a new pope is newsworthy.

Nobody is forcing you to listen/watch the coverage anyway...