A video has emerged of Pope Francis denying Catholic worshippers the opportunity to kiss his papal ring. The footage was initially posted by the Catholic Sat Twitter page, with the caption: "Pope Francis really doesn’t want anyone kissing his ring. This from today, after Mass…"
Unsurprisingly, given his status as the head of the Catholic church, the footage racked up 2.9 million views, as of this writing.
This is the moment the Pope repeatedly pulls his hands away from worshippers attempting to kiss his ring:
The awkward interactions occurred while the 82-year-old greeted worshippers following Monday's Mass service at the Basilica della Santa Casa.
The Basilica della Santa Casa Cathedral is a renowned pilgrimage site dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the Italian town of Loreto.
Although the Pope can be seen smiling as he shakes the hands of the Catholic devotees, he is evidently reluctant to allow them to kiss the sacred ring, a symbol of his dedication to the faith.
In fact, the Argentinian pontiff reacted to the innocent gesture, usually regarded as a traditional sign of reverence, with complete disdain. He immediately snatches his hand away from members of the congregation as they kneel down to kiss the ring.
And despite the fact that the Pope repeatedly pulls his hand away with every attempt, that doesn't deter those waiting in line, as each of them still tries in vain to peck the holy ring.
So unwilling is the Pope for the Catholic churchgoers to get up-close with the ring that he can even be seen physically guiding some of them to one side.
Following the Mass service, Pope Francis signed a document entitled 'Christ Lives', concerning today's youth. The document will be released on April 2 and included in it are the Pope's comments with regards to a meeting he had with world bishops last October.
The issues which arose in the meeting center around issues such as finding ways to welcome gay people into the Catholic faith, giving women more influence within the church and combating the well-documented sexual abuse scandals associated with the Catholic church.
Pope Francis has openly voiced his support for civil unions between same-sex couples in a new film, BBC News reports.
In a film released on Wednesday (October 21), the Pope said that gay people, as children of God, deserve to be able to have their own family and be protected by the state.
"Homosexual people have a right to be in a family. They are children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over it," he says in the brand new documentary Francesco, which has been created by Oscar-nominated director Evgeny Afineevsky.
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"What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered. I stood up for that," he said, which could refer to when he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires and he supported some legal protections for the rights of same-sex couples - despite opposing same-sex marriages in law.
Per Yahoo News, papal biographer Austen Ivereigh said the Pope's comments in the documentary used some of the clearest language on the topic since he was appointed back in 2013.
In one part of the documentary, the Pope spoke about Andrea Rubera, a gay man who adopted three children with his partner.
Rubera had gone to a morning Mass, where he gave the pope a letter sharing his concerns as a Catholic who hoped he and his family would be accepted by the church.
He told Pope Francis that he and his partner wanted to raise their children as Catholics in the local parish, but were worried that this would be frowned upon.
According to Rubera, the Pope called him some days later, explaining how moved he was by the letter. He also encouraged the couple to bring their children to the parish - but be prepared for potential hostility.
In the documentary, Rubera can be seen giving the letter to the Pope.
Per Yahoo News, he and his partner did take the pope's advice to introduce their children to the parish and are pleased with their decision.
This comes a month after the pope met with an Italian LGBTQ+ Christian support group to tell parents of LGBTQ+ children that God loves them regardless of their sexuality or gender identity.
The pope told them, per Pink News: "God loves your children as they are. The church loves your children as they are because they are the children of God."
Pope Francis’ Fisherman’s Ring — kissed by countless followers — is about to meet its end following the pontiff's death at the age of 88.
Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88. Credit: Franco Origlia/Getty Images
The Vatican has entered a period of ancient tradition and profound ceremony following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at 88 on Easter Monday, April 21, after suffering a stroke, which led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.
The pontiff, adored by millions around the globe, had been battling a respiratory illness for weeks leading up to his final day.
The solemn news was delivered by Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell, declared to the world: “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.
"At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.”
Paying tribute to the late pontiff’s legacy, Farrell reflected on a life devoted to faith. He said Francis had dedicated his “entire life” to God and the Catholic Church, urging the global community to honour his memory by embracing “the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalised.”
In line with sacred Vatican tradition, the “Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis” — Latin for “Rite of Burial for Roman Pontiffs” — has now been activated, triggering a cascade of centuries-old rites and rituals.
The Pope's death has sparked a series of historic traditions and events. Credit: Grzegorz Galazka\Archivio Grzegorz Galazka\Mondadori via Getty Images
In a ritual stretching back centuries, the symbolic signet ring, worn by Pope Francis throughout his 12-year reign, will be destroyed.
The move is more than just tradition — it’s practical.
The first mention of the Fisherman’s Ring was back in the 13th century. Historically, the Fisherman’s Ring (or Ring of the Fisherman), alongside a pendant known as the bulla, was used to seal papal briefs.
Smashed with a hammer upon a pope’s death, this ensured no forgeries could emerge in the power vacuum. “It’s the equivalent of taking the login details away from a social media account,” per CNN’s Vatican correspondent, Christopher Lamb.
This symbolic act dates back to 1521, and the destruction of the papal ring is and was non-negotiable... that was, until Pope Benedict XVI broke from tradition by resigning, rather than dying in office.
Instead of smashing his ring, a deep cross was carved into its face and bestowed to Pope Francis. This ring - given to each Pope at their inauguration - depicts Saint Peter in a boat.
“I think there was a feeling that it was unnecessary to destroy the ring,” said Lamb, adding that fears of someone impersonating a dead pope have faded over time.
Now, the ring that represented Francis' papal authority will be defaced, not demolished, by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the Irish-born Camerlengo appointed by Francis himself in 2023.
A Reign of Modesty
Unlike many of his predecessors, Pope Francis didn’t wear the ring daily.
While Pope Benedict XVI regularly donned his, and John Paul II famously swapped between versions, Francis kept things simple. He wore his Fisherman’s Ring at official events, but day-to-day, he opted for a modest silver ring he’d worn since his time as a cardinal.
Pope Francis often opted for a more modest silver ring during appearances. Credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images
There were even questions about whether Francis liked having the ring kissed. In 2019, he was caught on video pulling his hand away from followers attempting the act.
The Vatican later said he simply wanted to avoid spreading germs. Lamb explained Francis was never one to demand traditional gestures of reverence, preferring hugs, handshakes, and heartfelt connections.
And when it came to the ring’s design, Francis ditched opulence for something “recycled.”
Instead of commissioning a new piece, he chose a gold-plated silver ring once owned by Archbishop Pasquale Macchi — the secretary to Pope Paul VI. Most popes go for custom-made, gold masterpieces; Francis reportedly wanted one with history, humility, and less glitz.
A Death in the Digital Age
Francis died just one day after appearing in St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, blessing the crowds from his wheelchair. Despite declining health, he stayed present until the very end — refusing to retire.
Now, the Vatican is preparing for one of the most secretive and scrutinized events in religious history: the Conclave.
But first, there’s protocol. And a lot of it.
The moment a pope dies, his private quarters are sealed. A red ribbon is threaded through the doors of his apartment — or in Francis’ case, his modest two-room suite in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse — and sealed with hot wax.
It’s a measure designed to prevent looting and unauthorized access, even within the fortress of Vatican City.
Francis rejected the Apostolic Palace — a 12-room penthouse with sweeping views of Rome — in favor of a more humble abode. He dined communally and kept his daily life low-key. But he still used the grand papal library for official visits and waved to crowds from that iconic window every Sunday.
Once the seal is in place, Cardinal Farrell informs the Cardinal Vicar for Rome, who then announces the death to the world.
What Happens Now?
Francis left behind a will, which will be safeguarded by Cardinal Farrell until it’s read aloud at the College of Cardinals' first meeting. While popes technically earn a salary — reportedly around £290,000 a year — Francis refused his, instructing that it be returned to the Church or given to charity.
Despite this, his papal office held assets like cars, an apartment, and ceremonial clothing, bringing his net worth to an estimated £12 million.
Nine days of mourning also follows the death of a pope, with Pope Francis' funeral expected between April 24 and April 27.
True to form, Francis rejected the extravagance of past papal burials. He requested a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc, rather than the traditional triple-coffin burial of cypress, lead, and oak.
And he won’t be buried beneath St Peter’s Basilica. Instead, his final resting place will be the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome, where he frequently prayed.
Only after the funeral can the Conclave begin.
Of the Church’s 252 cardinals, 140 are under the age of 80 and eligible to vote. Just 120 will be selected. They’ll enter the Sistine Chapel, where two stoves will burn every ballot and emit smoke — black for no decision, white when a new pope is chosen.
The moment white smoke rises, the world will know: the Catholic Church has a new leader.
Until then, Francis’ recycled ring — kissed by millions and steeped in centuries of tradition — will be struck through with a chisel, marking the end of an era, and the beginning of another.
Featured image credit: Franco Origlia/Getty Images
Pope Francis' Instagram account has hit headlines after users noticed it had 'liked' a model's racy post on the social media site.
The 'like' was spotted by a follower of Brazilian model Natalia Garibotto, 27, who took a screenshot to prove that the picture had caught the eye of someone very unexpected.
In the racy snap, Garibotto can be seen posing against lockers while wearing suspenders, a cropped shirt, and a very short plaid skirt.
The picture, however, has now been unliked by the Pope's Instagram account.
In addition, in a follow-up post on her Instagram feed, Garibotto shared another snap of her in the same racy outfit, alongside a video "proving" the Pope's account liked her post.
She captioned the follow-up: "On this very day I was blessed, you could be too".
This comes after Pope Francis recently hit the headlines for his support of the LGBTQ+ community, which marks the first time that a pontiff has publicly supported the group.
Listen to Pope Francis endorse same-sex marriages in the video below:
In a documentary called Francesco, the 83-year-old head of the Catholic church said: "Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over it.
"What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered."
Francesco had its premiere at Rome Film Festival in October and the Pope's comment marked the most public and transparent support of same-sex unions he has given to date.
Reverend James Martin, a well-known pro-LGBTQ+ Jesuit, said that the Pope's comments marked a step in the right direction for the Catholic Church.
In an interview with The Washington Post, he said: "I think it's a big step forward. In the past, even civil unions were frowned upon in many quarters of the church. He is putting his weight behind legal recognition of same-sex civil unions."
Pope Francis has hailed sex as a "beautiful thing" and stated that meeting partners on dating apps is "normal" in a new documentary.
In a new Disney+ documentary titled The Pope: Answers, the 86-year-old head of the worldwide Catholic Church spoke out on topics that are usually left alone by His Holiness.
In the flick - which was filmed in June 2022 - the Pope shared his opinions on subjects such as sex, masturbation, racism, migration, abortion, and the LGBTQ+ community.
"Sex is one of the beautiful things that God has given to the human person," he said during an "open dialogue" with 10 young adults in Rome, according to NBC News.
Watch The Pope: Answers trailer below:
The Spanish-speaking group, whose ages ranged from 20 to 25, included Catholics, Christians, atheists, agnostics, and one Muslim.
When Alejandra - an adult star who shares content on live-streaming sites - questioned him about his views on pornography and masturbation, the pontiff said that it "diminishes".
"Those who are addicted to pornography are like being addicted to a drug that keeps them at a level that does not let them grow," he said, per The Independent. "To express oneself sexually is something rich.
"Anything that diminishes a true sexual expression diminishes you as well, it renders you partial, and it diminishes that richness. Sex has a dynamic of its own. It exists for a reason. It’s an expression of love," he added.
While the Pope revealed that he didn't own a phone, his thoughts on young people meeting on dating apps such as Tinder were pretty surprising.
"It’s normal," he said of meeting romantic partners on social media. "Young people have that eagerness to meet each other, and that’s very good."
The outlet also shared that a woman named Celia - who identified as non-binary - asked the pontiff whether members of the LGBTQ+ and nonbinary individuals were welcomed at church.
"Every person is a child of God, every person," he responded. "God does not reject anyone, God is Father. And I have no right to expel anyone from the Church. Not only that, my duty is always to welcome. The Church cannot close the door to anyone. To no one."
The Pope has been celebrated for his more progressive views. Credit: Sipa US / Alamy
Pope Francis has long been celebrated for his more progressive views on the LGBTQ+ community compared to some of his predecessors.
In 2020, he became the first pontiff to approve same-sex civil unions, declaring in the documentary Francesco: "Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God," as cited by AP.
"You can’t kick someone out of a family, nor make their life miserable for this. What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered," he added.
In addition to this, he reaffirmed those beliefs during an interview earlier this year where he stated: "Being homosexual is not a crime. It's a human condition. We are all children of God and God loves us as we are," per CBS News.
Pope Francis has informed the parents of LGBTQ+ children that God loves them, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity.
Per a report by Pink News, his Holiness met with the Tenda di Gionata, an Italian LGBTQ+ Christian support group, consisting of around 40 mothers and fathers, at the Vatican this week.
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The Pope reportedly told the assembled parents:
"God loves your children as they are. The church loves your children as they are because they are the children of God."
Meanwhile, Mara Grassi, the Vice President of Tenda di Gionata, told Pope Francis that the group wanted to promote a more accepting and tolerant faith, stating:
"We wish to create a bridge to the church, so that the church too can change its way of looking at our children, no longer excluding them, but fully welcoming them."
His Holiness seems to hate having his ring kissed. Don't believe me? Watch this video:
However, the Pope's views on the subject of homosexuality, trans rights, and LGBT+ people have been viewed as somewhat inconsistent by some over the years.
For instance, the Catholic leader shot down the idea of LGBT+ members of the clergy in 2018, and even went so far as to call homosexuality "fashionable".
"In consecrated and priestly life, there’s no room for that kind of affection. Therefore, the church recommends that people with that kind of ingrained tendency should not be accepted into the ministry or consecrated life. The ministry, or the consecrated life, is not his place."
Despite this, it's clear that the Pope's recent words will be a great comfort and reassurance to many religious and areligious people throughout the world.
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