Buying rush and higher prices for Pope Francis' gadgets after his death

A few days after the death of Pope Francis, devout pilgrims and tourists gather to commemorate his passing. On their way home, they take with them a small souvenir from their days of prayer in Rome, but what may have seemed like the already exorbitant prices associated with the Jubilee 2025 have not been curbed even in this time of mourning for the loss of the Holy Father. On the contrary. Images depicting the Pope's face have since Tuesday shot up 100 per cent. "The holy card of Bergoglio until Monday was sold at 0.10 cents, since Tuesday we have been selling it at 0.20 cents instead," says a merchant present along St. Peter's Square, who explains: "Among the most desired gadgets there is certainly the rosary in filigree, around 8 euro, but also those in silver and crystal are in demand, and the rosary case with his face from 25 euro," he continues. Figures that can satisfy everyone. Certainly after the death of Francis 'we have increased sales,' says another trader in Via della Conciliazione. Another thing are the more 'artistic' products that orbit around reproductions of the Pope, such as paintings and sculptures depicting him, which can start from as low as 100 euro.

Some have decided to take advantage of the moment to put up for sale on Ebay the front page of the 21 April 2025 special edition of the Osservatorio Romano, in which the death of Pope Francis is announced with his photo with the headline: 'The Lord has called the Holy Father Francis to himself'. Prices go up to 500 euros. It remains less and less astounding than the souvenir shops in the Vatican that try to sell 'Italian dental paste' (toothpaste) for 10euro.

The prices of the Jubilee 2025 gadgets - certified by the Holy See - were already high. They ranged from water bottles at 11.90 euro (the same figure also applies to hats and handkerchiefs) to the official mascot 'Luce', which reached the price of 45 euro (a rather high cost for a small soft toy). Not only rosaries or devotional chaplets. The Jubilee logo - depicting four stylised figures to indicate humanity from the four corners of the earth - is also affixed to various objects such as mugs and jerseys. One only has to do a search to realise the volume of branded products.

Jubilee coffee pots can also be found online: they are advertised by a company that also makes its moka pots with the symbols of pride or the signs of the zodiac, thus meeting all the tastes of its public. Even in this case the price is not exactly that of the 'Franciscan' style pilgrim like the Pope: the basic model costs 64euro but if you want there is the possibility of a gold coating, combined with two cups with precious finishes, for 486euro. The object is a limited edition and the company on its website thanks the Dicastery for Evangelisation for "the opportunity to realise this special collection, which celebrates such a significant event of great spiritual value".

Around the Vatican walls there is no shortage of souvenir hawkers. 'Because I am Italian they said there was an extra discount for me if I wanted to buy, usually foreigners are always very firm on prices,' a passer-by explained.