I’m not sure I understand...wouldn’t such constraints also affect mass in front of St. Peter’s?
I think BXVI actually is somewhat concerned by those masses; I have heard that people are somewhat irreverent at those, too. But I think he’s really directing his attention to the big “special event” masses, because he has had a couple that have obviously not been to his liking. (Remember the weird vestments in Germany? And I believe there was a horrid dance/rock band moment at one of his earliest youth gatherings.)
In addition, Benedict is very modest and doesn’t like the super-star treatment that JPII seemed to enjoy. I saw him at an audience about a year ago, and people (twice as many as the crowd JPII used to gather) were standing on their chairs, clapping and calling to him as he left. He waved modestly, but he was obviously embarrassed and did not like that kind of attention. Personally, I think he’s right; after all, the Church is not all about the individual who’s Pope at a particular moment, and I think he really feels very humbled by his office.
Probably.