Grieving attendees who lined up for the Pope’s lying-in-state are outraged at fellow visitors for snapping selfies beside his open casket, labelling these actions as “distasteful” and disrespectful.
The Vatican announced the 88 year-old’s death occurred approximately 7.30am on Easter Monday due to a cerebral stroke leading to coma and terminal heart failure. His remains have been placed in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City for the traditional three-day mourning period before his funeral.
Despite some 20,000 faithful arriving to honour him, anger erupted as numerous individuals were observed taking photos with Francis’ body – positioned in a coffin against a backdrop of red robes.
An Instagram photo captured a woman grinning towards her phone with the Pope resting in his velvet-lined coffin merely feet away.
Vatican security had to intervene intermittently to prevent mourners from using their phones for pictures, while worshippers, some of whom had endured an eight-hour wait to pay homage to Francis before Saturday’s interment, condemned the photographers’ manners as “distasteful”, reports the Mirror.
Catherine Gilsenan, from London, voiced frustration over how these acts disrupted the solemn mood, noting people flouted warnings by prioritising photos over tribute. She expressed to The Sun, “I was very moved coming so close to Pope Francis but it was awful seeing so many people taking pictures.”
Ms Gilsenan expressed her dismay over the lack of reverence at the Basilica, mentioning she and her spouse stowed their mobiles away, noting it was “sad to see such disrespectful behaviour”.
Yet not everyone felt the same about capturing the moment; Argentine Matheus Silva spoke in defence of the photo frenzy, proud to mark the occasion of “the first Pope who spoke up for gay people like me”.
Visitors flooded the space with smartphones in hand, seizing the chance to record as Pope Francis’ body lay in repose. Some armed themselves with selfie sticks to snag a premier snap, even nuns were caught on camera, gathering ‘round the late pontiff with gadgets at the ready.
The pontiffs’ remains will reside at Saint Peter’s Basilica until Friday, after which he will be laid to rest at the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome, resting in a humble grave marked only “Franciscus” as per his own wishes.
After the passing of the Pope, tradition dictates entombment must happen between day four and six. After the funeral, an official nine-day period of mourning begins, called the “novendiali”.
The conclave, a private cardinal gathering, is set to commence 15-20 days following the “sede vacante” announcement – unless the cardinals reach a consensus to begin earlier.
Only cardinals who are under the age of 80 have the right to cast their vote for the next Pope in the Sistine Chapel. The conclave will continue until a new Pope is selected, with the cardinals remaining within the Vatican’s confines until a decision has been made.
