A picture of what, from the first glance, looks to be a kiss on the lips between Pope Francis and Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed Al Tayeb has caused a stir online – but the act was more of a peck on the cheek than a full-blown smooch.

At an inter-religious meeting in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, the two religious leaders celebrated the signing of a document on fighting extremism together with an embrace – and a kiss.

Many observers, seeing a picture of the event published by Reuters, believed the moment was just a tad too intimate, with the Pope and the Imam all but locking lips in front of onlookers. Social media users snickered, suggested the two “get a room” and mocked the image in light of both religions’ scriptures concerning homosexuality, as well as the UAE’s strictness on public displays of affection.

I would love to be in the room as @VP Mike Pence finds out about this! — Isiah (@Cyanax) February 4, 2019 pic.twitter.com/9xRTFNcWjG — Angry Goddess (@Serena_Unger) February 4, 2019 This is some next level holy gayness... I wonder what Quran and bible Thinks about this — Toshi (@Coco_Shifu) February 4, 2019

Get a room, dudes — 💕 सिमरन (@CatSimran) February 4, 2019 Is it a bad choice of the photo or it is in purpose? pic.twitter.com/9gQDPX1gNp — Ahmad Al Hammady 🇪🇬 (@AhmadHammady) February 4, 2019 This is 2019, the world is evolving rapidly, so does the way religious leaders greet each other’s. Back off let them have their moment.😆😆😆😆 — Marion Lilian (@MarionLilian4) February 5, 2019 So the Pope can kiss men, but the rest of us can't? 🤔 https://t.co/QphxPeJvOh — Fernando Hurtado (@fhurtado) February 5, 2019

However, as other images from the event reveal, the initial Reuters picture was likely just a matter of getting caught at an inopportune moment. The two would, moments later, transition into a more prim cheek-rub.

Editor’s note: RT was among those taken in by the initial image, reporting that the Pope and the Imam “locked lips.” The article was amended after an alert from our readers.