A video began to circulate on social media showing the new Pope Leon XIV, also known as Robert Francis Prevost, surrounded by other cardinals after being elected, inside the Sistine Chapel in the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican. The event generated controversy due to the prohibition of recording or taking photographs in this iconic place.
The protocol clearly states that no recordings or photographs are allowed in the Sistine Chapel, a rule that applies to all visitors and was even respected during the filming of a Netflix movie in 2019. Despite this, a media outlet disseminated the video showing the Pope surrounded by the cardinals and the impressive frescoes by Michelangelo on the chapel's ceiling.
According to Vatican News, 'Pope Leon XIV, right after the election, receives applause from the cardinals in the Sistine Chapel.' This breach of protocol generated controversy on social media, although the important rule of not recording in the Sistine Chapel remains firm as part of the respect and preservation of this sacred space.
Regarding the election of the new pope, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost Martinez was elected on May 8, 2025, as the successor to Francis, becoming the 267th pope of the Catholic Church. Born in Chicago in 1955, this member of the Order of Saint Augustine adopted the name Leon XIV for his papacy, demonstrating his close relationship with Latin America by obtaining Peruvian nationality in 2015. This gesture solidified his bond with the country and the Latino community, highlighting his commitment to the region throughout his religious career.
