Why the Vatican is angered with people taking selfies with Pope's coffin

A sea of mourners has gathered to express grief and pay their final respects to Pope Francis, who lies in state at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. However, some visitors have turned the solemn occasion into an opportunity for smiling selfies and photo-ops.

These images, some shared online, have caused a stir and sparked massive outrage online. The Vatican, in a sharp response, has cracked down on “bad taste” selfies in front of the Pope’s open coffin and has warned visitors against using their phones, the Mirror reported.

Here’s a closer look at what’s been happening.

‘What a rotten age’

While the Pope’s lying in state was intended to be a time of quiet reflection and reverence. In line with his wishes, the casket was not placed on an elevated bier, ensuring that people could view it with ease and offer their final respects.

However, some visitors seemed to have missed the message.

A number of images have surfaced showing individuals posing for pictures just feet away from the Pope’s open coffin. These photos have sparked a significant amount of outrage, especially from those who felt the situation called for greater dignity and respect.

UK tourist Martin Gilsenan, who was present at the scene, shared his experience with the Mirror. “People were being asked to put their selfie sticks away when they got to the front,” he said. But despite these requests, he and his wife were surprised by the number of people who continued to take photos without being stopped. His wife found the behaviour “very distasteful.”

Des gens font un selfie devant le corps du pape, exposé dans la basilique Saint-Pierre de Rome. Quelle époque pourrie dans laquelle les gens ne savent plus se tenir, même devant un défunt...#PapaFrancesco pic.twitter.com/cSk0ZU2Sou

— Tanguy David (@tanguy_france) April 24, 2025

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“There were also many people looking around and getting upset with those on the phones,” he added, noting the growing frustration of the crowd. Images from the scene show a number of people crowding around the Pope’s casket, seemingly ignoring the requests to refrain from taking pictures.

The scene sparked a wave of criticism online. One user expressed their anger, writing, “Fury at ‘disrespectful’ mourners taking selfies with the pope’s corpse as the faithful line up to pay their respects.” Another user reflected on the state of modern society, saying, “What a rotten age, when people no longer know how to behave, even in front of a deceased person…”

Also read: A visit that wasn’t: Pope Francis was to come to India on PM Modi’s visit

Vatican responds

Following the flood of criticism on social media over visitors posting selfies with the Pope’s body, Vatican officials stepped in to address the situation. On Thursday, those standing near the wooden coffin were warned to put their phones away as they approached Pope Francis lying in state.

“Visitors are invited not to take photos,” a Vatican spokesperson told The Times. A Vatican source added, “They are queuing for hours, praying and paying their respects, but taking pictures is not in the best of taste.”

The basilica opened its doors to the public at 11 am on Wednesday, just two days after the Pope passed away from a stroke on Easter Monday. Thousands arrived to offer their final prayers and reflect in silence.

However, the massive turnout meant long waits, with some mourners queuing for up to four hours under the hot sun. In response, the Vatican extended access through the night to accommodate the growing crowd. Between Wednesday morning and 7 pm Thursday, nearly 90,000 people had visited the open coffin.

Valerio Russo, 66, who had just exited the basilica on Thursday, told the outlet that officials had begun to intervene more strictly. “After people took photos at the start, officials were stopping them today,” he said. “Good thing too — it’s a matter of respect. This is not a show, it’s a religious moment.”

Pope Francis, dressed in traditional papal vestments, will lie in state at St Peter’s Basilica until his funeral on Saturday.

The Vatican announced that the funeral will be held at 10 am on Saturday in St Peter’s Square. A public Mass will take place in front of the basilica, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals.

This funeral will differ from those of previous popes, in line with the reforms Francis introduced last year. He had requested simpler rites, including the use of just one wooden coffin, rather than the traditional three.

After the Mass, Pope Francis’ body will be laid to rest at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, where seven other popes are also interred. In his will, Francis had written that he wanted his “last earthly journey to end at this very ancient Marian shrine.” He also asked for a plain, unadorned tomb, bearing only the inscription “Franciscus,” according to the Vatican.

Who will attend Pope Francis’ funeral?

World leaders and Catholic worshippers from around the world will attend the funeral. Here’s a list of some of them

• US- President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump

• India-President Droupadi Murmu

• Ukraine- President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska

• Argentina- President Javier Milei

• Brazil- President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and First Lady Janja

• European Union- President Ursula von der Leyen

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres

• UK- Prince William representing the British royal family and PM Keir Starmer

• Belgium - King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, along with Prime Minister Bart De Wever

• East Timor - President Jose Ramos-Horta

• Germany - President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and outgoing chancellor Olaf Scholz

• Hungary - President Tamas Sulyok

• Italy - President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

• Latvia - President Edgars Rinkevics

• Lithuania - President Gitanas Nauseda

• Poland - President Ilie Bolojan

• Switzerland - President Karin Keller-Sutter

• Czech Republic - Prime Minister Petr Fiala

With input from agencies