Visitors discouraged from capturing selfies featuring the deceased pope by Vatican officials
Stop Snapping Selfies with Pope Francis, Vatican Urges Mourners
Visitors at St. Peter's Basilica have been asked to keep their mobile phones tucked away as they pay their respects to the late Pope Francis, who lies in state within the basilica. With over 130,000 people paying their respects since the announcement, many are queuing for hours to catch a glimpse of the pontiff, but not all are there for reverence alone.
As people pass by the coffin, some have attempted to capture snapshots, trying to snap a selfie or a quick photo of the pope in his repose. CNN footage shot on Wednesday inside the basilica revealed this behavior, while TikTok videos showed individuals halted in front of the casket, posing for selfies. One comment read, "So disrespectful," garnering over 7,000 likes.
Facing criticism for lax phone usage enforcement the previous day, officials decided to take action. By Thursday, they began instructing mourners to keep their mobile devices stowed away and not to photograph the coffin while passing by. CNN has reached out to the Vatican for comment.
Since 1996, Vatican guidelines have forbidden the photographing or filming of the pontiff on his sickbed or after death, except where the Camerlengo (interim authority) grants approval for documentary purposes[1]. The rise of smartphones and ubiquitous camera technology has prompted a reconsideration of how the public interacts with historic events, especially when dealing with the solemnity of a passing pope.
Mourners still have the opportunity to pay their respects in person until 6 p.m. local time (12 p.m. ET) on Friday. After that, the public will no long be permitted to join the queue to enter the basilica. The pope will be buried on Saturday at the church of Santa Maria Maggiore following a ceremony attended by political and religious leaders, royals, and celebrities. Most of the funeral will take place outside in St. Peter's Square before a procession to Santa Maria Maggiore through the heart of Imperial Rome, past the Roman Forum and Colosseum.
As the ceremonial proceedings unfold, visitors are encouraged to maintain an atmosphere of reverence and respect.
Additional Insights:
- The Vatican's concern lies primarily in preserving the respect and decorum intended for this solemn occasion[2].
- Many mourners have expressed dismay at the practice of taking selfies with the pope's casket[3].
- Security guards have intervened to enforce the request and maintain order during the lying in state[4].
Mourners have been urged to respect the solemnity of the occasion by keeping their smartphones tucked away, as some disrespectful individuals have attempted to take selfies and photos of the late Pope Francis in his repose. The Vatican's concern centers around maintaining an atmosphere of reverence, as over 130,000 people pay their respects. In response to criticism, officials have begun instructing mourners not to photograph the pope's coffin while paying their respects.
