MOURNERS at the Pope’s lying in state yesterday blasted ghouls snapping selfies next to his open casket.
Pallbearers had earlier carried in Vatican City for the solemn three-day ritual.
Pallbearers carry Pope Francis’ body into Saint Peter’s Basilica for a solemn three-day ritual
Guards with ghouls and their cameras taking photos of the Pope lying in state in an open casket
Pope Francis died on Easter MondayAround 20,000 paid respects â with pilgrims draping blue and white .
Officials released photos of Francis laid out in red robes while clutching a rosary, and did not ban public pictures. But church guards stopped some ghouls using camera phones.
Catholics Martin and Catherine Gilsenan, both 59, from Wimbledon, South West , were among the mourners.
Catherine said: “I was very moved coming so close to but it was awful seeing so many people taking pictures.
“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.
“People had been told not to use selfie sticks but lots ignored the warning.
“I saw lying in state in London and there was no comparison â this really detracted from the moment.”;
Financial services executive Martin added: “We were staying 100 miles from when we heard he’d died and felt obligated to join the queue.
“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 behaviour.”;
Argentine Matheus Silva, 27, admitted taking pictures of “the first Pope who spoke up for gay people like me”;. He added: “Others were doing the same and I’m happy to share them.”;
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The Pope's casket being carried into St Peter's Basilica, ready for mourners to pay their respects over the coming days
A nun cries as she waits to pay respects to Pope Francis
Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell, centre right, spreads incense around the Pope's body
Pope Francis appeared frail on the central lodge of St Peter’s Basilica on Easter Sunday
Pope Francis speaks with the then-Prince Charles in October 2019
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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