Fury from mourners at Pope Francis’ lying in state over ghouls snapping selfies next to open casket
MOURNERS at the Pope’s lying in state yesterday blasted ghouls snapping selfies next to his open casket.
Pallbearers had earlier carried Francis’ body into Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City for the solemn three-day ritual.
Around 20,000 paid respects — with pilgrims draping blue and white football shirts in honour of the Argentine pontiff.
Officials released photos of Francis laid out in red robes while clutching a rosary, and did not ban public pictures. But church guards stopped some ghouls using camera phones.
Catholics Martin and Catherine Gilsenan, both 59, from Wimbledon, South West London, were among the mourners.
Catherine said: “I was very moved coming so close to Pope Francis but it was awful seeing so many people taking pictures.
“Around half the people near us wanted to pay respects at the coffin, but the other half were all taking photographs.
“We kept our phones very firmly in our pockets and would never dream of doing something so distasteful.
“People had been told not to use selfie sticks but lots ignored the warning.
“I saw the Queen lying in state in London and there was no comparison — this really detracted from the moment.”
Financial services executive Martin added: “We were staying 100 miles from Rome when we heard he’d died and felt obligated to join the queue.
“Francis was a great Pope and we admired him for changing the direction of the Church and shifting its appeal to young people.
“It was sad to see such disrespectful behaviour.”
Argentine Matheus Silva, 27, admitted taking pictures of “the first Pope who spoke up for gay people like me”. He added: “Others were doing the same and I’m happy to share them.”
At least 250,000 people are expected at Saturday’s funeral.
‘The sad reflection of online culture’
By Nick Parker, at The Vatican
TEARS flowed in Saint Peter’s Basilica yesterday at what was, for many, a solemn moment to pay their respects.
I’ll never forget seeing the body of Pope Francis up close, adorned in his ceremonial mitre and robes with a rosary in his pale, waxy hands.
But for many others who lined up to see the late pontiff, a memory was not enough.
Thousands of mourners alongside me yesterday were unable to take part in this hallowed ritual without snapping a picture to show their mates.
I got as close as 25ft to Francis’ coffin, and the entire time I was there it was festooned with camera phone ghouls.
They herded together — holding up the head of the queue while many raised selfie sticks to look down into the casket. There was no ban on photography — and glancing around I could see that even priests and nuns snapped away too.
What I saw was the polar opposite of my experience viewing the coffin of our late Queen in Westminster in 2022 — amid perfectly observed dignity and decorum.
It was a depressing reflection of our selfie-obsessed, social media-driven culture which, I’m sure, would have saddened Pope Francis had he been alive to see it.
But I’m also sure that the mourners yesterday would have followed a “no photography” rule had one been imposed by The Vatican — and that this poignant rite would have been all the better for it.
Who will be the next Pope?
FOLLOWING the death of Pope Francis on the morning of Easter Monday, attention turns to the question of his successor.
Francis led the Catholic church for 12 years, right up until his death at 88 – as is tradition.
After the nine days of mourning have been observed – during which time Francis will be buried – the papal conclave will begin in order to select a successor.
All 252 cardinals from around the world will travel to Rome for the secret ballot, in which a maximum of 115 can vote.
When a candidate has two-thirds of the vote, they will be appointed Pope through a pontifical coronation.
Here are some of the front-runners:
- Cardinal Luis Tagle
- Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin
- Cardinal Wim Ejik
- Cardinal Raymond Burke
- Cardinal Peter Erdo
- Cardinal Matteo Zuppi
- Cardinal Mario Grech