19 December 2013, The Tablet

No pictures, please


 
He opted against living at the Apostolic Palace, riding in the papal limousine and wearing the red shoes. Now it appears that Pope Francis is continuing to shun the trappings of office by refusing to sit for an official portrait or even to sit for his photograph to be taken.This is a problem for the curial offices in the Vatican, which are normally adorned with official pictures or portraits of the Bishop of Rome.The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity does have a portrait – albeit painted from photographs– by Silvano Caroli. It hangs immediately inside the office doors and, according to staff members, cheers everyone up in the morning.Mr Caroli is the brother of Fr Vladimiro Caroli OP, who worked as an official at the pontifical council until recently, and the po
Get Instant Access

Continue Reading


Register for free to read this article in full


Subscribe for unlimited access

From just £30 quarterly

  Complete access to all Tablet website content including all premium content.
  The full weekly edition in print and digital including our 179 years archive.
  PDF version to view on iPad, iPhone or computer.

Already a subscriber? Login