Its not just a US thing.

Who wants to be the country where the Pope got assassinated?! He's afforded a level of protection commensurate to his status.

Oh, wait...

Too many guns in this country and too many extremists to have it be safe otherwise.

he's causing right wing heads to explode big time.

He's a high profile man, if he gets extra security it doesn't bother me a bit.

does Obama get the same level of security? That single block of 72nd Street is an armed camp with 100 NYPD on it.

That is why the heavy security. You do have a point however, We do have too many guns floating out there when combined with all the hate groups in the US. All adds up to a difficult job.

New York, of all cities has legitimate reasons to fear terrorism whether it's foreign or domestic. I do blame us, however, for allowing our country to be turned into an armed camp. The fact that it's ridiculously easy for anyone to buy large numbers of military grade weapons makes it necessary to have a phalanx of armed police surrounding the Pope should make us think twice.

and has nothing to do with American gun laws.

Moreover, when a significant or controversial head of state stays in the United States, the security is comparable. The Pope is just receiving a lot more press coverage. In fact, I actually live directly across from the United Nations, and my entire neighborhood is an armed camp every year for about a week and a half, Pope or no Pope, as it is now for the opening of the General Assembly, and I often personally witness the extreme and pervasive security when leaders and dignitaries are in town other times of the year.

Simply, the Pope is major target for terrorists and assorted criminals and crazies, and Popes have been shot in the past. No country or city wants to have the Pope attacked in their jurisdiction.