Where was the photo taken? I want to see whether there's just a cross or a Crucifix behind where the Pope is standing. Then I can tell you.
I wanted to know the answer to this, too, so I went to the host site to check (http://www.remnantofgod.org/pix/pixmenu.htm). The caption says, “Novice priests lay in worship before the pope” ... with no source information.
Seems to be an SDA-affiliated conspiracy website, including material from “he who must not be named on the FR RF”.
They are laying prostrate because they are being ordained. Priests do that during the Litany of the Saints, I believe, to emphasize their unworthiness in their service. It is a form of humility. They are no more worshiping whoever happens to be standing on the other side of the room than they are the floor they are on. If it were so then what do Protestants worship when they say their prayers on their knees? I suppose pews, their beds, books, pastors, each other, or whatever happens to be in front of them.