Many people waving the blue-and-white flags of Argentine, the homeland of the world's first Latin American pope.

NPR: Pope Wades Into Crowd Before 1st Window Appearance

Rome (CNN) -- Thousands of Catholics waving flags from around the world packed St.

CNN: March 17, 2013 -- Updated 1658 GMT (0058 HKT)

"People are not objecting to dignified commemoration of historic events or indeed the respectful display of flags and emblems, but many people and those include people with relatives that were volunteers in the 36th Ulster Division during World War One, perceive the erection of flags without consultation and in some cases with masked identity to be intimidating and bad for community relations, " he added.

BBC: UVF flag

When England won the World Cup on home soil in 1966 most of the flags being waved in the crowd were Union flags rather than St George's crosses - a tradition which remained in place by the time England made the semi-finals in Italy in 1990.

BBC: NEWS | UK | England | The fight to keep flying the flag

Flags of convenience now account for more than half the world's merchant tonnage, and they show no signs of slowing.

ECONOMIST: Bolivia waves the flag

In the world of nation branding, flags become logos, national anthems advertising jingles.

NPR: Consultants Develop Notion of Branding Nations

The Avenue in the Rain by Childe Hassam, 1917, depicts Fifth Avenue in New York City adorned with flags and banners in support of the Allied war effort during World War I.

WHITEHOUSE: West Wing Tour

When it came to raising the profile of sport, bringing countries together, world firsts to be witnessed, skeptics silenced and the sale of flags to reach an all time high, the London 2012 games delivered all of this and more.

FORBES: How London Showed The World What Sport Can Achieve

At one of Gore's main rivals, Associated Air Center in Dallas, the company keeps track of its sales with little flags stuck into a wall-size world map outside its sales office.

WSJ: Demand Soars for Firms That Fit Out Private Jets