By Wilson Wong and Claudio Lavanga - NBC News
The Vatican is investigating how
Pope Francis' official Instagram account “liked” a photo of a model
dressed as a schoolgirl.
On Friday, a Vatican spokesman told Noticias Telemundo's sister network NBC News that he was looking for answers on the popular social media app.
"We are analyzing what happened with the help of the office in charge of these matters on Instagram,"
said Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office.
[Pope Francis advocates for civil union laws to recognize gay couples]
A team manages the Pope's social media accounts, but the Vatican believes the "like" came from an outside source.
In the photo posted on Natalia Garibotto's Instagram on October 6, the Brazilian lingerie model can be seen in a revealing schoolgirl-inspired outfit and high white stockings with suspenders.
It is not yet known when the official account of the Pope blessed the model, but
the "like" was visible on November 13, the next day the action was undone in that social network,
reported the Catholic News Agency.
Pope Francis joins the leaders who have already congratulated Biden.
Trump still resists giving way
Nov. 13, 202002: 10
[Pope Francis resumes the Wednesday hearings with the presence of the faithful after stopping six months due to the pandemic]
COY Co, the company that runs Garibotto's career, wasted no time and took the opportunity to promote the model on social media.
“COY Co. has received the OFFICIAL BLESSING OF THE POPE
,” the company said on Instagram on November 13.
As of Friday morning, Pope Francis does not follow anyone on his popular Instagram account, which has more than 7.4 million followers.
Garibotto, 27, has 2.4 million followers on Instagram and bragged about the alleged ecclesiastical endorsement.
"At least I'll go to heaven," joked the model on Twitter.
