Vatican officials are asking visitors not to take selfies with the late Pope Francis as he lies in state inside St. Peter’s Basilica, telling them to put their phones away as they passed by the coffin. Almost 130,000 people have paid their respects to the pontiff, many queuing for hours to glimpse him lying in an open coffin, the Vatican said in a statement. And while many bowed their heads in reflection and prayer, others held their mobile phones aloft, trying to take photos of Francis at rest, CNN footage filmed on Wednesday inside the basilica showed. Videos posted on TikTok captured people stopping in front of the coffin to pose for selfies too. “So disrespectful,” read one comment, which has received more than 7,000 likes. By Thursday, officials were telling visitors to put their phones away and not take photos as they passed the coffin, after they faced criticism for not effectively policing phone use the previous day. CNN has reached out to the Vatican for comment. It is forbidden for anyone to photograph or film the pontiff on “his sickbed or after death” except where the camerlengo (interim authority) approves for documentary purposes, a directive issued by the Vatican in 1996 reads. Since then, advances in technology and the rise of smartphones mean that almost everyone now has a camera on them at all times. And when public figures die, the resulting rituals can sit awkwardly between a solemn, respectful wake and a chance to personally capture a moment in history. Mourners will still be able to pay their respects to Pope Francis in person until 6 p.m. local time (midday ET) on Friday, at which point the public will no longer be allowed to stand in line to enter the basilica. On Saturday, the pope will be buried at the church of Santa Maria Maggiore following a ceremony attended by a string of political and religious leaders, royals and celebrities. Much of the funeral will be held outside in St. Peter’s Square before a procession to Santa Maria Maggiore through the heart of Imperial Rome, past the Roman Forum and Colosseum.
Vatican asks visitors not to take selfies with late pope
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Vatican Requests Visitors to Refrain from Taking Selfies with Late Pope Francis"
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TruthLens AI Summary
The Vatican has issued a request to visitors to refrain from taking selfies with the late Pope Francis as he lies in state within St. Peter's Basilica. This appeal comes in response to observed behaviors where mourners, while paying their respects, have been spotted attempting to capture photographs of the pontiff in his open coffin. Reports indicate that nearly 130,000 people have queued for hours to honor the pope, with many choosing to bow their heads in prayer, while others raised their mobile phones in an attempt to document the moment. Videos shared on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, further illustrate this trend, drawing criticism from the public who found such actions disrespectful. Consequently, the Vatican's officials have begun enforcing a stricter policy regarding phone use, urging visitors to put away their devices as they approach the coffin to maintain the solemnity of the occasion.
The Vatican has long had a policy against photographing or filming the pope during sensitive moments, including after his death, with exceptions only made for approved documentary purposes. This directive, established in 1996, has become increasingly challenging to enforce in the age of smartphones, where capturing moments has become a common practice. The current viewing period for the public to pay respects to Pope Francis will continue until 6 p.m. local time on Friday, after which the basilica will no longer allow entry. The pope's burial is scheduled for Saturday at the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, following a ceremony that will see attendance from numerous political and religious figures, as well as celebrities. The funeral proceedings will largely take place outdoors in St. Peter's Square, culminating in a procession through historic Rome, highlighting the significance of the event in both a religious and cultural context.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the Vatican's request for visitors to refrain from taking selfies with the late Pope Francis as he lies in state. This situation has sparked discussions about respect and decorum during times of mourning, particularly in the context of modern technology and social media. The juxtaposition of solemnity and the desire to capture moments for social media reflects a cultural shift in how people engage with significant events.
Public Reaction and Criticism
The reaction from the public has been mixed, with many expressing disapproval of those who attempted to take selfies, labeling it disrespectful. The Vatican's decision to actively discourage phone use after facing criticism suggests a tension between maintaining a sacred atmosphere and the pervasive nature of modern technology in public spaces.
Cultural Commentary
This incident raises broader questions about societal norms regarding grief and public mourning. The expectation for visitors to pay their respects in a quiet and reflective manner contrasts with the impulse to document experiences for social media. The article reflects a cultural critique on how personal technology impacts our engagement with significant historical events.
Technology and Mourning Rituals
The Vatican's existing directive against photographing the pope in sensitive situations illustrates an attempt to preserve the dignity of mourning rituals. However, the rise of smartphones complicates this directive, as nearly everyone now carries a camera, blurring the lines between private grief and public spectacle.
Implications for Society
The ongoing discourse around this issue could have broader implications for how public figures are memorialized in the future. It could lead to more stringent regulations on photography during significant events, aiming to maintain the sanctity of such occasions. This incident may also highlight a generational divide in attitudes towards mourning and respect.
Manipulative Aspects
While the article primarily reports on the Vatican's request, it subtly critiques the behavior of the visitors and raises questions about societal values. The language used emphasizes the disrespect inherent in taking selfies during a solemn occasion, potentially manipulating the audience's emotions towards a more traditional view of mourning.
Trustworthiness of the Article
The reliability of the article is supported by its presentation of facts, including the Vatican's official statement and public reactions. However, the framing of the issue may lead to biased interpretations, especially regarding the behaviors of individuals at the event. Thus, while the article is grounded in real events, the emotional tone might influence readers' perceptions.
The analysis of this situation reflects a complex interplay between tradition and modernity, underscoring how public behavior is scrutinized in the context of significant cultural rituals.