Bolt from the blue after pope resigns
Hours after Pope Benedict XVI stunned the world by announcing he would resign at the end of the month, a blinding shaft of lightning shot down from the heavens and struck the rod atop the white cross on St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. Imagine the odds. But here’s where it gets even more Twilight Zone: At that precise moment, AFP photographer Filippo Monteforte – his camera already trained on the Basilica’s cupola – pushed the button that yielded the image above. A miracle? Not quite.
“I took the picture from St. Peter’s Square while sheltered by the columns. It was icy cold and the rain was falling in sheets. When the storm started, I thought that lightning might strike the rod, so I decided it was worth seeing whether – if it DID strike – I could get the shot at exactly the right moment.” Armed with a 50mm lens, Filippo waited. And waited. More than two hours. And then it happened. Twice. “The first bolt was huge and lit up the sky, but unfortunately I missed it. I had better luck the second time, and was able to snap a couple of images of the dome illuminated by the bolt.”
A video shot by BBC shows just how narrow Filippo’s window of opportunity was.
18 reactions
1 From Juliewriter - 12/02/2013, 14:40
Montefort might be a descendent related to Saint Montfort who's statue is inside Rome's St. Peter's Basilica http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_...
2 From Sean - 12/02/2013, 14:56
Are you serious.... He isn't a descendent he's a photographer. How naive can you be.
3 From the Voice - 12/02/2013, 15:22
The perfect shot. Is it one in a lifetime?
4 From Nazarene - 12/02/2013, 15:48
Some dimwits would then say it's a sign from God.
5 From Neil Allen - 12/02/2013, 16:00
Its a sign from God that the pope is going to get struck by intense powerful fire for eternity for running the world's largest child sex crime syndicate in history, and in God's name.
6 From Janna - 12/02/2013, 16:20
The bolt that would take him to hell? For obstructing human rights and hiding pedophilia?
7 From Nathan Lucas - 12/02/2013, 18:26
Methinks the photographer is pulling your leg a little bit. The description seems to imply that he laid in wait and pressed the button at the exact right second.
In reality, regardless of the lightning, the shutter would have had to be open for several seconds at a time to get a properly exposed image because of how dark it is. Once you've found the right aperture, ISO, and shutter speed for the lighting conditions, you can just sit there and trigger the shutter for a 3-4 second exposure until something happens. I guarantee that he had a whole memory card full of just plain old shots of the Vatican.
I'm more impressed with the photographer's planning and foresight, realizing that such a shot would be relevant to current events, and positioning himself to be able to capture it. Being in the right place at the right time is the hardest part of being a photographer.
Also, to show that I'm not just blowing smoke, here's a shot I got of the Indianapolis skyline during a lightning storm a few years ago.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/attheb...
8 From snailspeak - 12/02/2013, 18:54
I see it as a photo of a lifetime and not an omen, good or bad. It cannot be denied that the Pope's resignation (should it not be an "abdication"?) came as a bolt from the blue
9 From blalbla - 12/02/2013, 19:09
GOD: "Damn it, I missed."
10 From BellRam - 12/02/2013, 19:30
Everyone's comments are so negative. I love this picture it's beautiful!
11 From JEW - 12/02/2013, 21:47
It's called simple technology. This can be done in less than 5 minutes using Corel draw program....... It's funny how you are all fooled by anti Catholics...... :-(
12 From Leoanicel - 12/02/2013, 22:09
I can't believe this, if the pope is running away from god the almighty, what shall the christians tell the muslims about christianity?
13 From Chris Westinghouse - 13/02/2013, 01:51
Cut the silly mumbo jumbo. Enjoy the image. I know what it's like to sit for hours waiting for an event that's over in a split second - congratulations on the shot and on your patience Filippo!
14 From Mutorashanga - 13/02/2013, 07:31
It is just a double coincidence that there was a bolt at a time when the old geezer felt it was time to call it quits. I admire the guy he knows when to leave the pulpit unlike some old ballies like Mugabe who still cling on to power. The bolt would rather had some significance if it was the Pope's demise. Let the Holy Jahman enjoy his spiritual Vatican severance package and have the best of Altar wine of his choice.
15 From Joseph. Rodricks - 13/02/2013, 07:32
It is a miracle. May be God did not accept the Resignation of Pope and may be he is asked to continue till his death.
16 From domy - 14/02/2013, 09:37
A lightning rod or arrestor is installed on the highest point of structures to prevent a direct hit by a lightning bolt..the cameraman was so lucky to be in the righr place at the right time.....!
17 From Pep - 14/02/2013, 15:15
Amazing shot by an great photographer! Bravo Mr Monteforte molto bravo.
18 From hector - 16/02/2013, 16:50
I can't hardly believe 100% in anything these days...