World leaders slammed after people spotted ‘disrespectful’ act during Pope Francis’ funeral
Topics: Pope Francis, Social Media, Religion, World News
Niamh Shackleton
Featured Image Credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Topics: Pope Francis, Social Media, Religion, World News
Several world leaders are facing backlash for their actions during Pope Francis' funeral.
The late pope was laid to rest in Rome, Italy, yesterday following his death on Monday (April 21).
Pope Francis, whose real name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died at the age of 88 from a stroke which lead to a coma and cardiac arrest.
His passing came after the head of the Catholic Church had a five-week stay in hospital following a double pneumonia diagnosis.
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After his death, Pope Francis' body was taken to St Peter's Basilica in an open coffin so mourners could pay their respects ahead of his funeral.
But people's behavior when visiting the pope's body raised eyebrows; in particular after a Brazilian priest took a selfie by the coffin and posted it to social media.
Such actions sparked the Vatican to issue a warning where it urged people not to do this. A Vatican spokesperson said in a statement to The Times: "Visitors are invited not to take photos."
While it was deemed 'bad taste' to take photographs of Pope Francis' body, people still proceeded to take snaps of the late pope's coffin during his funeral service yesterday.
World leaders including the likes of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, POTUS Donald Trump and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy jetted to Italy to attend the funeral, and it wasn't long until Trump caused controversy and was branded a 'disgrace' for wearing a blue suit.
Away from Trump's attire, other world leaders were spotted taking photos during the service — something which many have described as 'disrespectful'.
While some looked sombrely on as the pope's coffin was carried, others took photographs.
"They should be ashamed," one person said of those taking snaps during the funeral.
"Taking pictures of the dead is morbid," noted another.
A third raged: "Who the hell takes photos of a funeral, never mind world leaders, outrageous. Electronic devices should have been banned."
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Elsewhere, Joe Biden was spotted taking selfies with several officials says Mail Online.
Apparently a deacon also whipped his phone out to take a snap with Prince William, who attended the funeral on behalf of his father King Charles. It's thought that this moment took place before or after the service, however.