A solution to large [outdoor] liturgies?

Some have said that large papal liturgies have become necessary because of the cult of personality that has grown around the person of the pope, and that they impair the worship owed to Christ? Is it tied to a certain view of the pope as a superbishop? Does the Holy Father himself see as part of his task to evangelize local Churches because their bishops have failed to do so? How many of our bishops could give homilies and addresses comparable to those given by the Holy Father during his visit to the United States?

Or does the Holy Father see this evangelization as being proper to an apostolic visit, a pastoral work that he must engage in wherever he is? Did not St. Paul and the other apostles travel and visit various local churches to teach and exhort? Since the Holy Father is aware of what is at stake with the Orthodox, I would think that he is sensitive to any sort of misinterpretation that might arise through the exercise of his office. If the contrast in learning and wisdom between the pope and weak bishops were not so great, perhaps the mistaken impression that the pope is a superbishop would not arise.

Fr. Neuhaus, aware of the criticisms regarding the cult of personality (made especially during the pontificate of John Paul II), remarked that this was not the case, as was evident during the apostolic visit of Benedict XVI to the United States. I believe he made this comment on the air, and not in electronic print, so I can't remember what he said exactly, or his reasons for denying that this was so. He may have been talking about the reverent behavior of those attending the Mass, and how it was not like a concert or gathering around a superstar.

While one cannot generalize as to the psychological or spiritual disposition of all attending such papal liturgies, does such a mentality exist among some of the faithful at least, particularly among nuns and the youth? I have read critiques of World Youth Day in which some claim that once the euphoria of such gatherings passes, the conversion of the young does not persist, and that one may even witness scandalous behavior at such gatherings. (I make the comments about nuns because I was reminded of how pushy some can be in Rome when the opportunity to meet or touch the Holy Father presents itself.)

Still, how can one balance the logistics behind such large celebrations with the demands of worship upon those participating? How to best accomodate those who wish to see the Holy Father in person? Is the spiritual welfare of the faithful opposed to such large liturgies? Pope Benedict himself has raised questions about whether the size of those gathered interferes with the proper celebration of the liturgy by those present.

I can say that for myself, I dislike large celebrations, whether they be at Lourds, Rome, or some stadium. I am a creature dependent upon the senses, and some feeling of physical proximity is necessary to foster intimacy with the Lord. The environment is also important for the fostering of the proper psychological dispositions and preparation necessary for worship, no?

I admit that I find even certain Roman-rite cathedrals to be too big for the celebration of the liturgy, preferring the small size of Eastern-rite parishes and cathedrals. What would I think of the celebration of the divine liturgy in Hagia Sophia if I were able to attend during its days of glory?

What would I suggest as an alternative? Perhaps the Holy Father could celebrate liturgy at the cathedral or some large basilica, with a certain representation of the local Church present. Meanwhile the rest of those who wished to share communion with the Holy Father would gather at nearby parishes. Then, as in the celebration of the Sunday liturgy by the bishop in the early Church, some of the Precious Body and Blood that had been confected by the pope would be distributed to the other churches and conmingled with the Eucharistic gifts there.

I can imagine that this solution may present more logistical nightmares than a more convenient stadium liturgy, but is it still feasible? And would the trouble be worth it if it protects and increases reverence for the Eucharist, while reminding us of the true nature of the office of the pope?

Some reflections at the First Things blog by Fr. Richard John Neuhaus:
Benedict and Beauty
The Papal Week That Was
Friday of Good Shepherd Sunday
Benedict in America: As of Thursday


More on Hagia Sophia:
The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople: Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia - Isidoros and Anthemios - Great Buildings Online
Byzantine Architecture Project
Hagia Sophia, 532–37 | Thematic Essay | Timeline of Art History ...
Hagia Sophia

Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
Ecumenical Patriarchate