Tourist forced to ‘cowl up with sheet’ at Vatican over ‘inappropriate gown’ – Travel News – Travel


A girl has shared her “humiliating” expertise during a go to to the famed Vatican City, the place she was handed a sheet by security guards and informed to “cover up.” Sabrina Almeida, a tattoo artist and DJ, had traveled to Rome and wearing what she believed to be “appropriate clothing” when the incident occurred.

The 35-yr-outdated was taking in the cultural delights of Rome and Vatican City in Italy. Given the scorching heat, Sabrina selected to put on a short, black bodysuit for her go to to St Peter’s Basilica.

However, Sabrina’s tattooed legs and arms have been uncovered – a violation of the city-state’s gown code which mandates that guests’ shoulders and knees have to be coated at all occasions.

According to the Vatican’s ticket web site, it encourages modest apparel and pores and skin protection as a non secular establishment, akin to different religions’ pointers on acceptable gown, experiences the Mirror UK.

It additional states: “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.”

Why was she requested to cowl up?

Upon arrival, Sabrina alleges that guards “pulled her from the line” and gave her a sheet to cowl herself.

Known online as Sabrina Boing Boing, she claimed: “I’ve never felt so humiliated. It wasn’t about cleavage or too much skin – it was the shape of my body.”

She went on to say: “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 used to be confused, as a result of my outfit was even more modest than what different girls have been carrying.”

Sabrina agreed to cover up so she wouldn’t miss out on the visit, but described the moment as “uncomfortable and humiliating.”

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She expressed: “I felt like a mummy, coated from head to shin within the center of excessive 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 clothes and says she felt “judgement”. The DJ described it as “a prejudice disguised as a rule.”

She additional 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.”

Vatican’s modesty gown code

The Vatican’s gown code, which requires shoulders and knees to be coated when getting into church buildings and sacred locations, is described as “strict” and applies to all guests.

In defence of her clothes, Sabrina said: “I used common sense. I wasn’t wearing anything tight, sheer, or inappropriate.”

She shared her story on social media alongside a gentle-hearted “tip” following her expertise: “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 responded to the state of affairs with a collection of laughing-crying emojis following her advice.

The Vatican has been contacted for his or her enter on the matter.

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Published on August 06, 2025 06:49
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