The world held its breath this weekend as Pope Francis was laid to rest — but it wasn’t just the solemnity of the occasion that made headlines.
Donald Trump’s outfit drew instant backlash, Melania’s behavior left onlookers puzzled, and a public snub involving French President Emmanuel Macron sparked international buzz. And as if that wasn’t enough, President Joe Biden found himself under fire for a reason that was anything but flattering.
“A Jarring Moment Amid Solemn Farewell”
What was meant to be a deeply reverent weekend in the Vatican turned unexpectedly emotional—and controversial—as the world gathered in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025, to bid farewell to Pope Francis in a historic funeral ceremony.
As dignitaries, world leaders, and thousands of mourners united in grief, an unexpected incident involving former U.S. President Joe Biden ignited a storm of criticism online.
Accompanied by First Lady Jill Biden, the former president drew sharp rebuke after being seen taking selfies upon arrival—a gesture many deemed strikingly out of place at such a sacred and solemn occasion. Social media erupted almost instantly, with critics branding the moment “extremely inappropriate” and insensitive.
“Selfies at a Funeral?” Public Backlash Mounts Over Biden’s Behavior at Pope’s Farewell
“Snapping selfies at the Pope’s funeral is extremely inappropriate,” one user fumed on X, echoing a wave of criticism that flooded social media. Another simply wrote, “Wow, selfies at a funeral. That’s messed up.”
Although no longer in office, former President Joe Biden was among the prominent figures in attendance, seated near the back of the foreign dignitaries’ section alongside his wife, Jill. Among those seen taking photos with him was Ugandan MP Thomas Tayebwa, who later posted one of the selfies in a tribute on social media—calling the late Pope his “spiritual leader.”
Still, it wasn’t the sentiment behind the images that drew backlash—it was the setting. “Notice how Biden is using the Pope’s funeral for photo ops?!!” one user commented, accusing him of political grandstanding during a moment meant for solemn reflection.
While Biden found himself at the center of controversy, another couple at the funeral caught attention—for entirely different reasons.
Controversy and Conspiracy Cloud Farewell to Pope Francis
What was meant to be a reverent and historic farewell to Pope Francis became a swirl of emotion, scandal, and spectacle. On April 26, 2025, the world descended on St. Peter’s Square for the funeral of the late pontiff, who passed away at age 88 following a stroke. While mourners came seeking peace, viral moments and unexpected controversies disrupted the solemnity.
Former U.S. President Joe Biden, attending alongside his wife, Jill, drew sharp online backlash after being photographed taking selfies upon arrival. Though seated quietly among foreign dignitaries, Biden’s seemingly casual gesture ignited outrage across social media.
“Snapping selfies at the Pope’s funeral is extremely inappropriate,” one user posted on X. Another added bluntly: “Wow, selfies at a funeral. That’s messed up.”
Among those who posed with Biden was Ugandan MP Thomas Tayebwa, who shared one image in a tribute post, calling Pope Francis his “spiritual leader.” But for many, the issue wasn’t the message—it was the moment. “Notice how Biden is using the Pope’s funeral for photo ops?!!” one critic wrote, accusing him of political grandstanding.
Critics argued that funerals are sacred, reflective occasions—not platforms for publicity. Posed or seemingly lighthearted images, especially at a papal funeral, were labeled by many as tone-deaf and disrespectful, regardless of intent.
Enter: The “Fake Melania” Theory
As Biden faced scrutiny, Donald and Melania Trump’s arrival sparked an entirely different kind of buzz. Just a day before the funeral, a video of the couple boarding a plane in the U.S. went viral—reigniting the long-running “Fake Melania” conspiracy theory.
“Definitely not Melania; hair too light and no heels,” one user commented. Another piled on: “Her face looks like it’s melting off.”
Yet the woman in question did appear at the Vatican—Melania, dressed in a traditional black coat, stiletto heels, and a lace veil, cutting a dignified figure. Still, the internet chatter didn’t die down.
Even during the Mass, there was drama. According to a forensic lip reader cited by The Daily Mail, Melania appeared to nudge her husband during the “sign of peace” ritual, whispering, “You should do it.” Trump reportedly replied, “Oh, alright,” before reluctantly shaking hands with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Adding a personal note to the occasion, Melania later revealed the funeral coincided with her birthday. “I prayed for healing and peace in the world,” she wrote in a rare Instagram post.
A Farewell to the People’s Pope
Pope Francis, the first pontiff from the Americas, remained active until the very end—delivering his final public blessing just one day before his death on April 21. Despite mounting health struggles, he never stepped away from his duties.
As his body lay in state beneath the Roman sky, thousands of mourners packed St. Peter’s Square. Some held rosaries, others draped in Argentine flags. When the final prayer ended, a wave of spontaneous applause echoed through the crowd—an emotional tribute to a beloved spiritual leader.
But even amid collective grief, the Biden selfie saga and Melania conspiracy theories served as a reminder: in the age of cameras and clicks, not even a papal funeral is safe from spectacle.
At the end of the day, is taking a selfie at a funeral really that big of a deal? Some argue it’s disrespectful, but others might say it’s just another way to capture a memory, even in a somber setting. Does a quick photo take away from the gravity of the moment, or is it just a sign of the times? What do you think — should funerals be off-limits for selfies?
