The death of Pope Francis has sparked not only grief but also controversy. As thousands gathered in Vatican City to pay their final respects, a disturbing trend unfolded—people taking selfies with Pope Francis’ corpse.
The open casket inside Saint Peter’s Basilica became a backdrop for macabre social media posts, leaving many mourners angry and disappointed.
While the Vatican did not ban photography outright, the lack of decorum shown by some attendees shocked both pilgrims and church officials.
The widespread sharing of these images online has triggered public backlash and raised questions about respect, reverence, and modern behavior in sacred spaces.
Shock and Disrespect as Pope Francis Corpse Draws Selfie Takers
On Easter Monday, Pope Francis passed away at 88. By Wednesday, his body was on display in Saint Peter’s Basilica, lying in state in full Papal attire. Draped in a red robe and white mitre, he lay in a velvet-lined wooden coffin, clutching his rosary—a traditional setup to honor a beloved religious leader.
Roughly 50,000 mourners had gathered to pay their respects. Most came with reverence. But some took out their phones, turned their backs to the coffin, and snapped selfies with the Pope’s corpse in the background.
One woman even posted an image to Instagram, smiling with Pope Francis’ body clearly visible behind her. Others extended selfie sticks or raised their phones high above the crowd, hoping to capture the “perfect” shot.
This spectacle shocked many. Pilgrims who had waited up to eight hours for a moment of solemn reflection were left disappointed and outraged.
Mourners Speak Out Against Disrespectful Selfie Culture
Janine Venables, 53, from Pontypridd, Wales, expressed her dismay. “We were told no photos in the Sistine Chapel,” she told UK media outlets. “Then I saw people doing selfies with the coffin. It felt wrong.”
Her husband, Paul Taylor, added, “I wondered what Pope Francis would think of all this. Someone said, ‘He’d probably say go help the poor instead.’ That sounds like him.”
Others in the crowd echoed the same frustration. One woman said the moment was “ruined” by people ignoring warnings and focusing on their phones rather than the significance of the moment.
Nuns, too, were seen with phones in hand. But some attendees kept theirs tucked away, choosing to absorb the moment in quiet respect.
Tradition Clashes With Modern Habits
Photos released by Vatican officials showed a sea of phone screens floating above the Pope’s coffin. While taking photos wasn’t officially banned, guards did try to discourage excessive use.
Still, the culture of instant sharing proved too tempting for many. Selfie sticks pierced the air. Whispered prayers were drowned out by clicks and flashes.
The peaceful atmosphere that the lying-in-state was meant to evoke vanished beneath a flurry of Instagram moments.
A Vatican source spoke out: “It would be good if people could remember where they are. This is a sacred space. A little respect is expected.”
This final farewell, a centuries-old tradition meant to allow the faithful a quiet goodbye, was overrun by a modern obsession: digital validation.
A Moment Lost in Screens
Pope Francis was known for humility and compassion. He often preached about helping the poor and living simply. It’s hard to imagine he would have approved of mourners turning his death into a social media spectacle.
The scenes in Saint Peter’s Basilica didn’t reflect his teachings. Instead, they reflected the world’s growing struggle to stay present in important moments.
While the Vatican made room for public mourning, some used it as a chance to collect likes. The image of a smiling tourist with Pope Francis’ corpse in the background will remain a jarring reminder of the world we live in.
As society grapples with how to balance tradition with technology, this incident leaves a powerful message: Sacred moments deserve our full attention—not just our front cameras.
