The tombstone’s irregular spacing leads to unexpected interpretations, stirring controversy among typography experts.
Typography Debacle: Pope Francis' Tombstone Sparks Design Debate
Typography Debacle: Pope Francis' Tombstone Sparks Design Debate
Lettering on the pontiff's grave ignites passionate reactions from design enthusiasts.
The arrangements for Pope Francis' funeral were executed with great precision, attracting a vast global audience. However, the tombstone's inscribed letters have become the focal point of a typography-related controversy. The simple stone slab is etched with "Franciscus," but uneven spacing has resulted in it being perceived as "F R A NCISC VS." In Latin, the letter "V" historically stood in for both "U" and "V."
Pope Francis’ marble tomb embodies his humble style and adheres to his wishes for a simple resting place. The use of Times Roman, a commonly utilized font, aligns with this aesthetic. However, for typography aficionados, the view of the tombstone from above raises significant concerns about kernings, such as the spacing between letters.
Charles Nix, senior executive creative director at Monotype—one of the leading companies in typeface and technology—expressed discontent about the design choice, suggesting that it represents a poor decision with lasting implications unless rectified.
Pope Francis’ marble tomb embodies his humble style and adheres to his wishes for a simple resting place. The use of Times Roman, a commonly utilized font, aligns with this aesthetic. However, for typography aficionados, the view of the tombstone from above raises significant concerns about kernings, such as the spacing between letters.
Charles Nix, senior executive creative director at Monotype—one of the leading companies in typeface and technology—expressed discontent about the design choice, suggesting that it represents a poor decision with lasting implications unless rectified.
