JD Vance effectively ‘gave God the finger’ when he violated a strict Vatican rule.
The U.S. Vice President traveled to Vatican City last week to meet with several prominent figures, including Pope Francis, whom Vance met just hours before the 88-year-old passed away.
The late pontiff had led the Catholic Church for 12 years until his death on Easter Monday (April 21), with his funeral and burial set to take place in the holy city this Saturday.
While Vance, who converted to Catholicism later in life, paid tribute to Pope Francis, a photo of him from a visit to the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel has been circulating online, sparking controversy.
JD Vance met the Pope a day before his death (Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)
The controversial image in question shows Vance and his son admiring the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling, home to Michelangelo’s famous depiction of nine scenes from the Book of Genesis.
One person praised the photo on social media, calling it an “epic shot” of the pair in the historic, centuries-old chapel, and adding, “What an incredible way to spend Easter weekend.”
However, it was here that Vance made a glaring mistake that has sparked outrage among many.
“Taking this pic is basically like giving God the finger,” one person fumed on Twitter, while another criticized Vance for having “no respect.”
This backlash stems from the Vatican’s strict policies regarding photography, electronic devices, and mobile phones, all of which are prohibited in certain areas, including the Sistine Chapel.
There’s a good reason why there are so many strict rules for visitors at the Sistine Chapel (Getty Images)
According to the visitor rules, photography is allowed in the Vatican museums, except in the Sistine Chapel.
While non-flash photography is permitted almost everywhere else, tripods, drones, and selfie sticks are banned throughout the site. However, no photos or videos can be taken in the Sistine Chapel under any circumstances.
The rules are clearly stated on the website in bold: “In the Sistine Chapel, it is forbidden to take photographs or films with any type of electronic equipment. The guard staff is authorized to request the immediate deletion, in their presence, of any video or photographic material taken in violation of this rule.”
Cell phones are allowed throughout the museums as long as they are set to silent, but they are strictly prohibited inside the Sistine Chapel.
To this end, visitors must also observe ‘absolute silence’ out of ‘respect for and in view of the sanctity of the location.’
The reason it has such strict rules comes down to the magnificent artwork, which Michelangelo finished painting in 1512 at the age of 36.
The painting has more than 300 figures on it and depicts several biblical stories from the Book of Genesis, including the Creation of Adam to the Fall of man after Noah’s flood and the Last Judgement.
It has portraits of prophets and sibyls announcing the coming of the Messiah, making it the perfect site for papal court ceremonies for the VIP’s of the city.
Michelle Obama had a similar image taken inside the chapel (MAURIX/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
The Sistine Chapel is most famous for hosting the Conclave, the gathering of cardinals who convene beneath the iconic ceiling to lock themselves in and elect a new pope in complete secrecy.
While Vance appears to have broken the rules, he may have been spared from being kicked out, as the photo was taken by an official White House photographer, indicating he likely received permission to take the image before his visit.
Other visiting U.S. officials and their families have had similar photos taken in the chapel, including former First Lady Michelle Obama, who was photographed admiring the artwork during a 2009 tour of the landmark.
Celebrities like Russell Crowe and Jason Momoa have also shared images from inside the chapel.
