Watch Lightning Strike St. Peter's Basilica Shortly After the Pope's Resignation
Mere hours after Pope Benedict XVI became the first pontiff in nearly six centuries to resign his post, the dome of St. Peter's Basilica — the earthly resting place of the Church's first Pope — was lit up by a dramatic lightning strike.
Alessandro Di Meo, one of two photographers who captured the ominous event on camera, told the BBC he was met with much skepticism after his photo went public.
"I understand that the picture may be incredible," he said. "Photos of lightning have always been done, but the only difference, in this case, is that it is the right place and at the right time."
But the cries of "fake" persisted, until video footage of the lightning strike finally emerged (see below).
