Yet amidst the prayers and tributes, a series of unexpected moments stole the spotlight, sparking international chatter and controversy.

Joe Biden’s arrival triggered immediate backlash. Attending alongside his wife Jill, the former U.S. president was seen taking selfies as he arrived — a move many found jarringly out of place at such a solemn event. Social media lit up with criticism. “Snapping selfies at the Pope’s funeral is extremely inappropriate,” one user fumed. Another echoed the sentiment: “Wow, selfies at a funeral. That’s messed up.”

Biden wasn’t the only one posing for photos. Ugandan MP Thomas Tayebwa shared a tribute featuring a smiling picture with Biden, calling the late Pope his “spiritual leader.” But for many, the timing overshadowed the sentiment, and accusations of political grandstanding quickly surfaced online. Critics argued that a funeral should be a space