VATICAN CITY — Tens of thousands of mourners flocked to St. Peter’s Basilica on Tuesday to pay their respects to Pope Francis, whose body is lying in state following his death on Easter Monday. However, the solemn occasion was marred by what some attendees described as disrespectful behavior, as some individuals were seen taking selfies and photos near the pontiff’s open casket.
Pallbearers solemnly carried Francis’ body into the basilica on Monday,initiating a three-day period of public viewing before his funeral on Saturday.Officials released images of the late Pope dressed in red robes and holding a rosary, and did not implement a blanket ban on photography. Despite this,church guards intervened to prevent some visitors from using their phones to capture images,particularly those using selfie sticks.
The presence of cameras sparked outrage among some mourners, who felt the photo-taking detracted from the gravity of the moment.
“I was very moved coming so close to Pope Francis, but it was awful seeing so many people taking pictures,” said Catherine Gilsenan, 59, a Catholic from Wimbledon, South West London, who attended the viewing with her husband, Martin. “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.”
Her husband, Martin gilsenan, also 59 and a financial services executive, echoed his wife’s sentiments. “We were staying 100 miles from Rome when we heard he’d died and felt obligated to join the queue,” he said. “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 behavior.”
Not all attendees shared the same view. Matheus Silva, 27, an argentine citizen, admitted to taking pictures of the Pope. “He was the first Pope who spoke up for gay people like me,” Silva said. “Others were doing the same, and I’m happy to share them.”
An estimated 20,000 people paid their respects on Tuesday, with some pilgrims adorning the basilica with blue and white football shirts, a nod to the Pope’s Argentine heritage. Authorities anticipate at least 250,000 people will attend pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday, a testament to his widespread influence and popularity.
Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88 after a brief bout with pneumonia, led the Catholic Church for over a decade. His tenure was marked by efforts to modernize the Church, address social justice issues, and reach out to marginalized communities.
