As millions across the globe mourn the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, an estimated 50,000 souls have journeyed to Vatican City to pay their heartfelt tributes to the revered Holy Father in his final resting place. However, it appears that for some, the solemnity of the occasion is far from their foremost thought.
Amidst the sea of mourners, some individuals have seized the moment to capture smiling selfies in front of the late pontiff, whose body lies in state within an open casket in the hallowed halls of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Martin Gilsenan and his wife Catherine, vacationing in Rome from London when Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88, made their way to the Vatican to offer their respects. To their astonishment, they witnessed individuals being politely requested to stash away their selfie sticks as they neared the front of the line. Martin recounted to The Mirror, “There were numerous individuals glancing around, irritated by those glued to their phones.”
Catherine echoed his sentiments, expressing her disdain for the mobile phones, “I found the presence of phones to be deeply inappropriate. I was genuinely shocked to see people taking photos.” The couple recalled witnessing the late Queen lying in state in 2022 and remembered a stark absence of such disrespectful behavior. Despite having their phones with them, Martin emphasized that they remained tucked safely in their pockets. After paying their respects to Pope Francis, they sought out a serene corner within the church for a quiet 15 minutes of contemplation.
The New York Post echoed tales of outrage, accompanied by actual photographs shared by mourners on their social media platforms. The publication also quoted Janine Venables, who traveled from Wales for the solemn occasion, acknowledging that the prevalence of smartphones struck her as “somewhat inappropriate, and I’m amazed no one intervened.”
The late Pope’s funeral will be held on Saturday in St. Peter’s Square, where the presence of several world leaders, including Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, is eagerly anticipated.
