Taking Selfies While Mourning the Pope... Vatican Issues Ban

Some Mourners Take Selfies on First Day of Public Mourning
Vatican Restricts Photography Starting from Second Day

On the first day of public mourning for Pope Francis, it was reported that the Vatican issued a 'no photography' order after some mourners attempted to take selfies in front of the Pope's coffin.

Pope Francis enshrined in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Photo by AP

According to CNN, approximately 250,000 people visited St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican over the three days from April 23 to April 25, 2025, where the body of Pope Francis was laid in state. People waited in line for several hours to bid their final farewell to the Pope, and many mourners paid their respects in front of the coffin.

However, CNN reported that on the first day of public mourning, April 23, some mourners were seen raising their mobile phones to take photos of the Pope, as captured in videos from the scene.

Videos showing people stopping in front of the coffin to take selfies were also posted on social networking services (SNS). These videos received comments such as "So disrespectful," with this particular comment garnering more than 7,000 likes.

Subsequently, starting from the second day of public mourning on April 24, the Vatican instructed visitors to put away their mobile phones and refrain from taking photos as they passed in front of the Pope's coffin.

According to guidelines issued by the Vatican in 1996, taking photos of the Pope on his sickbed or after death is prohibited except in cases where the Prefect of the Papal Household grants approval for documentary purposes.

CNN noted, "With technological advances and the advent of smartphones, almost everyone now carries a camera," adding, "When a public figure dies, difficult situations can arise between the solemnity of mourning and the personal desire to capture a moment of history."

Pope Francis, who passed away at 7:35 a.m. on April 21, 2025, was laid to rest on April 26 amid worldwide mourning. The funeral Mass was solemnly held that day in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, with 250,000 mourners, including members of the general public, paying their respects.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.