Pope Francis Funeral (Reproduction/DailyMail)
Faithful report disrespect from visitors who posed for photos next to the open coffin, while thousands waited for hours to pay their last respects
The funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away at 88 years old on Easter Monday, was marked by a mix of devotion and controversy. During the farewell ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, many faithful expressed their outrage at visitors who took selfies next to the pontiff’s body.
More than 50,000 people attended the site to pay their final respects. However, some visitors caused discomfort by posting on social media images showing the body of Francis — dressed in a white mitre and the traditional red vestments — in the background, while they posed smiling for the camera.
One of the most discussed images showed a woman smiling with the Pope in the background, lying in a wooden coffin holding a rosary. Although there was no official ban on photos, reports indicate that guards intervened in some cases, asking for respect.
Pope Francis Funeral (Reproduction/DailyMail)
The emotional impact was even greater among the faithful who faced lines of up to eight hours. Many considered taking selfies as “disrespectful and in poor taste.” Janine Venables, 53, from South Wales, said she was surprised to see people with their phones out, contrasting with stricter rules in other sacred spaces like the Sistine Chapel.
Her husband, Paul Taylor, reflected on the incident, saying, “I think Pope Francis would tell these people to go do something for the needy. He always preached simplicity and empathy.”
Vatican staff acknowledged the difficulty in containing all excesses but called for common sense and reverence. “It is important to remember where we are and act with respect,” said one source.
Despite the instructions for visitors to put away their phones, what was seen was a sea of screens and selfie sticks trying to capture the moment, even among religious people. This behavior compromised the atmosphere of reflection and silence that the occasion demanded.
Despite the controversies, thousands continued to arrive at the basilica to bid farewell to the religious leader. By the following morning, over 19,000 people had already passed through the site. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was among them and paid her respects to the Pope, praising his humanity and ability to engage in dialogue with everyone.
The funeral continued throughout the week, with the church remaining open even during the night. The Vatican strengthened security and organized crowd control for the Saturday funeral, which will feature international leaders, including the Prince of Wales, representing the British King.
Pope Francis Funeral (Reproduction/DailyMail)
Source and images: DailyMail. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
