Vatican forced to issue reminder over 'disrespectful' acts next to pope's casket

The Vatican is asking mourners not to take selfies with the late Pope Francis as he lies in state at St. Peter's Basilica.

Nearly 130,000 people have paid their respects this week after waiting in line for hours outside the church, but the Vatican was compelled to issue a statement reminding visitors to put away their phones while passing the casket, reported CNN.

CNN footage filmed Wednesday inside the basilica showed most visitors bowing their heads in reflection and prayer, but some held their cell phones up to take photos of the pontiff's remains.

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“So disrespectful,” read one comment on a TikTok video showing people posing for selfies near the coffin.

Church officials issued a statement Thursday in response to the videos after facing criticism for not effectively policing phone use the previous day.

A 1996 directive forbids photos or video of the pontiff on “his sickbed or after death” except where the camerlengo, or interim authority, makes an exception for documentary purposes.

Technology has advanced substantially since then, effectively putting a camera in almost everyone's hands at all times.

The pope will lie in state until Friday, and he will be buried Saturday at the church of Santa Maria Maggiore following a funeral attended by an array of world leaders and celebrities.