Vatican Requests That Mourners Refrain from Taking ‘selfies’ with Pope Francis
Vatican officials have called on mourners to avoid taking photos with Pope Francis’s body while he lies in state at St.
TroibNews 
Officials are urging visitors to show respect during the late pontiff’s lying-in-state at St. Peter’s Basilica, with a particular emphasis on refraining from taking photographs with Pope Francis’s body.
This call for decorum comes in response to images and videos that have circulated online, depicting visitors posing next to the late pope’s casket. Vatican staff have been actively encouraging the faithful to avoid using mobile phones and to foster an atmosphere conducive to prayer and reflection.
“Visitors are invited not to take photos,” a Vatican spokesperson told The Times, highlighting the significance of maintaining the dignity of this solemn occasion.
Since the public viewing commenced on Wednesday, approximately 250,000 mourners have paid their respects at the late pope’s casket, as reported by Vatican News. In order to accommodate the large crowds, St. Peter’s Basilica has remained open overnight.
On Friday evening, a private ceremony led by Cardinal-Camerlengo Kevin Farrell marked the sealing of the Pope’s coffin. Following long-standing tradition, a white silk cloth was draped over Pope Francis’s face, and a bag containing coins and medals from his pontificate was placed inside the casket. The wooden coffin was sealed with a cross, his coat of arms, and official Vatican seals in preparation for the funeral set for Saturday morning.
The funeral is anticipated to draw thousands of faithful individuals, along with world leaders and dignitaries, all coming to pay tribute to the 266th Pope, whose memory, the Vatican noted, “remains in the heart of the Church and of all humanity.”
Max Fischer for TROIB News
This call for decorum comes in response to images and videos that have circulated online, depicting visitors posing next to the late pope’s casket. Vatican staff have been actively encouraging the faithful to avoid using mobile phones and to foster an atmosphere conducive to prayer and reflection.
“Visitors are invited not to take photos,” a Vatican spokesperson told The Times, highlighting the significance of maintaining the dignity of this solemn occasion.
Since the public viewing commenced on Wednesday, approximately 250,000 mourners have paid their respects at the late pope’s casket, as reported by Vatican News. In order to accommodate the large crowds, St. Peter’s Basilica has remained open overnight.
On Friday evening, a private ceremony led by Cardinal-Camerlengo Kevin Farrell marked the sealing of the Pope’s coffin. Following long-standing tradition, a white silk cloth was draped over Pope Francis’s face, and a bag containing coins and medals from his pontificate was placed inside the casket. The wooden coffin was sealed with a cross, his coat of arms, and official Vatican seals in preparation for the funeral set for Saturday morning.
The funeral is anticipated to draw thousands of faithful individuals, along with world leaders and dignitaries, all coming to pay tribute to the 266th Pope, whose memory, the Vatican noted, “remains in the heart of the Church and of all humanity.”
Max Fischer for TROIB News
