A seemingly innocuous selfie featuring German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder, snapped on their way to Pope Francis’ funeral, has ignited a firestorm of criticism. The image, which oozes joy amid a somber occasion, has raised eyebrows and questions about the political elite’s understanding of decorum and Christian values.
Shared on social media by both politicians, the snapshot of their cheerful faces inside a government vehicle en route to the Vatican did not go unnoticed. Conservative critics and everyday citizens alike were quick to express their disdain, accusing the duo of transforming a sacred event into a spectacle of self-importance.
“Two of the nation’s top officials behaving like schoolboys on a field trip—where are the beer cans?” quipped Frédéric Schwilden in Die Welt, labeling the incident a “godless neglect of political culture.”
In stark contrast, representatives from the opposition party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), who were also present in Rome, demonstrated a markedly different demeanor. Nicole Höchst, a Bundestag member, and Petr Bystron, a Member of the European Parliament, attended the funeral as official delegates from the AfD, opting for a respectful and subdued presence during the solemn proceedings.
“Pope Francis always stood up for the weak and marginalized,” Höchst stated ahead of the funeral. “His legacy serves as a reminder for us, as political representatives, to champion social cohesion.”
Bystron echoed this sentiment, stating, “Regardless of our political differences, we honor Pope Francis as a voice of morality and conscience in a world increasingly detached from its spiritual roots. Our presence underscores the vital role of the Catholic Church in shaping Europe’s identity and preserving Christian values.”
Die Bundestagsabgeordnete Nicole Höchst und der Europaabgeordnete Petr Bystron nehmen als offizielle Vertreter der Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) am Begräbnis von Papst Franziskus in Rom teil.
Mit ihrer Anwesenheit würdigen sie nicht nur das weltweite Wirken des verstorbenen… pic.twitter.com/HrjfhpAILD
— Petr Bystron (@PetrBystronAfD) April 26, 2025
The selfie debacle is merely the latest in a series of incidents undermining the credibility of Germany’s political figures. Just days prior to the funeral, Cansel Kiziltepe, Berlin’s SPD Senator for Labor, stirred controversy by labeling Tesla vehicles as “Nazi cars” on social media—a statement many saw as trivializing the Holocaust. One social media user aptly remarked, “Those who make such comparisons degrade concentration camps to parking lots.”
Critics argue that these episodes reflect a deeper malaise within Germany’s political landscape, characterized by a troubling blend of vanity, disregard for tradition, and a glaring double standard in the judgment of political behavior.
While the AfD is often portrayed as the pariah of Germany’s political establishment, frequently accused of lacking decorum, it was their representatives who exhibited dignity in Rome, contrasting sharply with the behavior of top officials from the ruling coalition.
Notably absent from the funeral was CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who has set his sights on becoming the next chancellor. His absence was conspicuous, especially as world leaders like Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron seized the opportunity for diplomatic gestures of unity.
Conservative economist and former Bundestag candidate Prof. Max Otte criticized Merz’s absence, remarking, “Angela Merkel, Robert Habeck, Annalena Baerbock, and Olaf Scholz have ruined Germany. Friedrich Merz is likely to become its insolvency administrator, liquidator, and asset manager.”
The incident involving Söder and Steinmeier underscores a widening chasm between the political elite and the values held by ordinary Germans. While establishment politicians indulge in selfies and online squabbles, the AfD positions itself as the sole serious contender for representing traditional values, national dignity, and Christian heritage in Germany.
