Beijing Catholic Church Forbids Cellphones Taken Inside

"The priest during Mass says, 'Lift up your hearts'. He does not say, 'Lift up your cellphones to take pictures.'" Pope Francis encouraged people not to take pictures during Mass.

The Yongning Catholic Church in Beijing, announced on November 12, 2017 that it forbade its parishioners to bring cellphones into the church in response to the pontiff's urge, Faith Weekly reported. The church provides storage for attendants' belongings, including cellphones and bags.

Pope Francis exhorted the faithful at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican not to use their cellphones during Mass because the Mass was not a show, but a time to meet with the Lord's passion and resurrection, on November 8.

"It makes me very sad when I celebrate Mass here in the piazza or in the basilica, and I see so many cellphones held up. Not only by the faithful, but also by some priests and even bishops! Please! The Mass is not a show. It's a meeting with the passion and the resurrection of our Lord." Francis said.  

- Translated by Karen Luo