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.
Around 20,000 paid respects — 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 — 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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