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"Ironically, Pope John Paul 's sermons during masses, even those in St Peter's Basilica, are often interrupted by applause. "

Yep, It was in St. Peter's when I first heard clapping at mass. Unfortunately this practice has grown in the US. Our parish priest started this bad habit and now the congregation sometimes spontaneously breaks out in clapping after hymns (especially those sung by a children's choir).

I really can't believe people can get so upset about someone clapping the house of God. I don't think He's asleep, so it's okay to wake Him up with a glad sound.
The greatest freedom in worship comes when we take our focus off ourselves and put it comepletely on Him. I can truly say the greatest moments of worship have come with a single piano and simple heart singing a song of adoration. I also enjoy a great shout, which God himself seems to mention frequently within His ideas for worship. It was a shout that brought down the walls! I think it is time to shout and bring down the walls of dead religion so others can get in. Jesus was after those who had been left on the outside.