Priest slammed for 'disrespectful' act with Pope Francis' body as Vatican issues warning
Topics: Pope Francis, Religion, Social Media, News, World News
Niamh Shackleton
Featured Image Credit: NurPhoto/Getty
Topics: Pope Francis, Religion, Social Media, News, World News
A priest who visited Pope Francis' body has caused some controversy.
Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on Monday (April 21) and ahead of his funeral, which is set to take place tomorrow in Vatican City's St Peter's Square, he has been lying in rest at St Peter’s Basilica.
People from around the world have been flocking to Italy to see the Pope for one last time. As of today (April 25), some 130,000 people had filed past the coffin, The Guardian reports.
And one of the people to have visited the Pope was a Brazilian priest who has raised eyebrows for his behavior in the basilica.
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The man, who reportedly boasts 115,000 followers on Instagram, posed for a selfie with Pope Francis' body, writing beside it: "Rest in Peace Pope Francis."
And the cleric isn't alone in his actions; others have also shared selfies on them by the Pope to social media in what the Vatican has deemed as 'bad taste'.
Addressing the matter of people taking photos of the late Pope, a Vatican spokesperson said in a statement to The Times: "Visitors are invited not to take photos."
A Vatican source added to the newspaper: "They are queuing for hours, praying and paying their respects, but taking pictures is not in the best of taste."
Valerio Russo, someone who has visited Pope Francis lying in rest, criticized people's behavior and detailed what he saw.
"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."
Echoing similar sentiments, another visitor, Janine Venables from Wales, told Mail Online yesterday: "What did surprise me is the fact that earlier we were told no photos in the Sistine Chapel and here people were getting their phone out and doing selfies with the coffin."
"I did think that was a bit in poor taste and I’m surprised no one stopped them," she added.
As well as the thousands that have visited the Pope at St Peter’s Basilica, large crowds are expected for Saturday’s funeral in St Peter’s Square.
In accordance with the late Pope’s wishes, he will be buried at the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome, breaking with the tradition of papal burials in St Peter’s Basilica.
A Vatican spokesperson said that it is likely St Mary Major will close for Saturday afternoon when the Pope’s remains arrive following the funeral, but reopen for people to take part in the rosary there on Saturday evening.