The Vatican is a self-governing city-state which has a strict dress code for all visitors. Guards are said to have the right to deny entry to those who are deemed to be dressed inappropriately
A woman says she was left “humiliated” after a trip to the renowned Vatican City to see sites like the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel resulted in her being given a sheet by security guards so she could “cover up”. Sabrina Almeida ventured to Rome and dressed in “appropriate clothing” when the alleged incident took place.
The tattoo artist and DJ was enjoying the many cultural offerings available in Rome and the Vatican City. Due to the sweltering temperatures, Sabrina, 35, opted to wear a short, black playsuit when she arrived at St Peter’s Basilica.
Sabrina’s tattooed arms and legs were on show – but this is against the self-governing city-state’s dress code which requires all visitors to have their shoulders and knees covered at all times.
Guidance on the Vatican’s ticket website states: “They advocate modest clothing and skin covering as a religious institution, similar to how other religions have tenets dictating appropriate attire.
“The guards have the right to refuse you access into the city and its attractions if you do not follow the dress code and are dressed immodestly.”
When Sabrina arrived, she claims guards “pulled her from the line” and provided her with a sheet to cover herself up.
Sabrina – who’s known online as Sabrina Boing Boing – alleged: “I’ve never felt so humiliated. It wasn’t about cleavage or too much skin – it was the shape of my body.”
She continued: “If I had no curves, maybe they would’ve let me in. They took me out of the line without explanation, asked me to wait, and brought out a cloth.
“I was confused, because my outfit was even more modest than what other women were wearing.”
Sabrina says she agreed to cover up so she wouldn’t miss out on the visit, but described the moment as “uncomfortable and humiliating”.
She said: “I felt like a mummy, covered from head to shin in the middle of extreme heat.
“I ended up drawing even more attention, because no one understood why I had that sheet over my clothes. It felt like being put in time-out.”
Sabrina believes the incident wasn’t about her clothing and says she felt “judgement”. The DJ described it as “a prejudice disguised as a rule”.
She added: “My body has always been seen as a problem, even when I’m fully covered. It’s exhausting having to constantly defend who you are.”
The Vatican’s dress code, which requires shoulders and knees to be covered when entering churches and sacred places, is described as “strict” and applies to all visitors.
In defence of her clothing, Sabrina added: “I used common sense. I wasn’t wearing anything tight, sheer, or inappropriate.”
She shared her story on social media alongside a light-hearted “tip” following her experience: “Tip: even in the heat don’t wear shorts, or they’ll make you wear a (used) sheet! You can’t show shoulders, head, knee and foot”.
Sabrina added a string of crying laughing emojis after her advice.
The Vatican has been approached for comment