Well before the Boeing 747 flew into our airspace, John Paul II had already taken his place alongside Padre Pio, Mother Teresa and John F Kennedy on respectful Irish mantelpieces. Afterwards he left us with a massive metal cross in the Phoenix Park, and the chair on which he sat.

Catholicism is traditionally obsessed with relics, so the visit in 1979 was both preceded and followed by a brisk trade in memorabilia – from pieces of papal rope and carpet, to commemorative photos, stamps and coins.

Now in the era of eBay, choice pontiff-related products can still be found from time to time. Digital punters are hawking papal postage stamps, posters, identity cards, stamped postcards and even a rather fetching 'John Paul II Ireland 1979' rug.

From time to time there are even pieces of crockery, playing cards, medals and wall-clocks adorned with his striking papal visage. And the commodification of the Pope didn't stop with papal visits – after John Paul II's death the Vatican press office was overwhelmed with requests for
JP cards, clothing and relics. All of such gewgaws and gimcracks will only appreciate in value, of course, if there's success in the juggernaut campaign to have the man canonised.