Mainstream journalists were photographed maskless on a papal flight with Pope Francis despite the mandate and even though the Pope is by all accounts someone who’s ‘at-risk’ from COVID-19.

“On the flight, different rules apply,” writes CTV News, without a single mention of their journalists being maskless. “Photographers were given the window seats to set up their gear. Tripods were extended, and audio cords run down the aisles. As the plane took off, photographers gripped their equipment to keep it from tipping. It’s a production studio in the air.”

“… Given the physical challenges, Vatican journalists on board asked questions about his appearance, “How will the Pope move?” “Will he sit to speak?” He didn’t.”

Indeed, the Pope has been wheelchair-bound for much of his time in Canada, apparently due to an arthritic knee injury, further drawing attention to the Pope’s age (85), which is a factor in determining one’s supposed risk from COVID.

CTV continues, saying that the Pope then emerged to take photos, shake hands, and accept gifts from some of the 75 journalists aboard, who, Christian or not, appeared in high spirits at the opportunity.

All was well and good. Or it would be if not for the flagrant hypocrisy.

CTV News, along with other mainstream outlets in attendance, regularly push pro-mask articles that make it look like everyone wants to return to a time of mandates.

“Canadian Blood Services face backlash after lifting mask mandates at donor centres,” reads a headline from three days ago.

“Is there any benefit to wearing a mask when nobody else is?” asks CTV News. The conclusion their approved ‘expert’ comes to is, of course, a resounding ‘yes.’

More importantly, though, is that the mask mandate for air travel in Canada remains. The Pope might have an exemption due to his age, but it’s unlikely a single journalist aboard the papal flight did — they just didn’t care about the rules others are forced to follow.