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JD Vance faced strong criticism as eagle-eyed netizens caught him flouting a decade-old Vatican City rule during his recent visit over the Easter weekend.
As the 40-year-old vice president embarked on his visit to Vatican City and Italy, along with his wife, Usha Vance, and their three children, he was closely followed by White House photographer Emily Higgins during his visits to the nation’s iconic places.
JD Vance was photographed inside the Sistine Chapel
While several photos of the Ohio-born Republican were published from his recent trip, including the ones with the late Pope Francis, one of them certainly stood out.
In the photo, which has since gone viral on the Internet, Vance can be seen holding his young son as the duo gazed up at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Even conservative influencer Charlie Kirk shared the image on his social media, gushing, “An epic shot of Vice President JD Vance and his son inside the Sistine Chapel. What an incredible way to spend Easter weekend.”
However, the post failed to impress the majority of the social media users who called out Vance for breaking the rule and clicking photographs inside the historical landmark.
The famous ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is covered with a series of frescoes created by the Renaissance artist, Michelangelo. Among them, the most famous is probably ‘The Creation of Adam’ and has long acquired a reverential position in the art world.
While the papal chapel is a top spot for tourists, it is also known that visitors are strictly not allowed to click pictures inside the chapel, which stands as a testament to the finest form of Renaissance art.
The rules against photography in the Sistine Chapel were first introduced in 1980, as part of a deal to secure funding to restore the chapel’s artworks, as reported by The Daily Beast.
During that time, the Vatican gave Japan’s Nippon TV exclusive photo and video rights to the restored art, after they bankrolled the project for $4.2 million.
While those exclusive rights lapsed within the next decade, the rule prohibiting photographs inside the top spot was never revoked, leading many to believe that the ban wasn’t lifted to protect the artwork from strong flashes.
Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that Vance is not the only American leader to have flouted the no-photography rule inside the Sistine Chapel.
In 1994, then-President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton were photographed inside the Sistine Chapel.
JD Vance faced backlash for taking photo inside the Sistine Chapel
As the photo of JD Vance in the Sistine Chapel went viral on the Internet, netizens started calling him out for his massive gaffe.
One said, “You do NOT take pictures in the sistine chapel. No respect,” and another wrote, “There is a strict rule of not taking pictures within the chapel. But we all know that some people wipe their feet on rules and even the law.”
A person stated, “To take photos in the Sistine Chapel is strictly forbidden! Every true Catholic knows this. This pictures shows what’s wrong: Rules are only to be followed by others but not the American government – utterly despicable!”
An individual boldly highlighted the absurdity of the circumstances, writing, “Not supposed to photograph it under any circumstance.”
“It is forbidden to take photos in the Sistine Chapel. The Church considers it to be greatly disrespectful,” someone else pointed out.
“You not allowed to take photos in the Sistine Chapel…show some respect,” another comment read. One more added, “Hmmm. Where photos are absolutely prohibited. Classic.”
“This administration has no respect for anyone or anything. Photos are not allowed in the Sistine Chapel. I’ve been there a few times,” another person expressed.
You do NOT take pictures in the sistine chapel. No respect.— The future Mrs.MacFarlane (@KindderBerge) April 21, 2025
There is a strict rule of not taking pictures within the chapel. But we all know that some people wipe their feet on rules and even the law.— Mama Moose (@MamaMoose_Be) April 21, 2025
To take photos in the Sistine Chapel is strictly forbidden! Every true Catholic knows this. This pictures shows what’s wrong: Rules are only to be followed by others but not the American government – utterly despicable!— Adelsexpertin (@Adelsexpertin) April 21, 2025
Not supposed to photograph it under any circumstance.— @HeartwoodNC (@heartwoodnc) April 21, 2025
It is forbidden to take photos in the Sistine Chapel. The Church considers it to be greatly disrespectful.— Liam (@liam66035) April 21, 2025
You not allowed to take photos in the Sistine Chapel…show some respect.— drewbhoy (@BhoyDrew) April 21, 2025
Hmmm. Where photos are absolutely prohibited. Classic.— Radical Centrist (@BobHaase9988) April 21, 2025
This administration has no respect for anyone or anything. Photos are not allowed in the Sistine Chapel. I’ve been there a few times.— Dr. G (@GinnyMcDonald8) April 21, 2025
