As thousands of mourners from around the world gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, a controversy has emerged over allegations of racial discrimination. Reports and social media posts have highlighted incidents where African mourners were allegedly denied access to the basilica during the public viewing of the Pope’s body, prompting widespread outrage and raising questions about inclusivity within the Catholic Church.
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A video of a man who claimed he was turned away after waiting patiently for his turn to say goodbye to the Pope’s remains emerged online. The man, visibly emotional, stated, “White people had come in, so he said, is it because I am Black? I just wanted to say goodbye to him.” He further questioned, “Even before God, you want to discriminate against us?” The video, which has since garnered significant attention, shows the man speaking to another individual in what appears to be a tense exchange, underscoring the frustration felt by some African mourners.
he allegations come at a time when the Catholic Church in Africa is experiencing rapid growth. According to Vatican figures, Africa accounted for 20% of the world’s Catholics in 2023, with the continent adding 9 million worshippers the previous year. By 2025, it is estimated that one-sixth of the global Catholic population—approximately 230 million people—will be African. Despite this significant presence, the incident has reignited discussions about the Church’s historical treatment of African Catholics and its inclusivity practices.
The public viewing of Pope Francis’ body began on April 23, 2025, following a private viewing for Vatican residents and the papal household at the Santa Marta Domus, where the Pope had resided during his 12-year pontificate. The Associated Press reported that 19,430 people paid their respects in the first 8.5 hours of the viewing, with the Vatican extending hours until midnight on Wednesday and Thursday to accommodate the large crowds. However, the reports of restricted access for some African mourners have cast a shadow over the proceedings.
Reactions on X have been mixed, with some users expressing anger and disappointment, while others questioned the mourners’ participation in a faith they perceive as foreign. @Tarilabor_ wrote, “I just wonder why Africans are still patronizing this particular faith,” while @AfroNoir88 added, “It serves them right, why go to adopt a religion and culture that is not natively yours? Stick to your roots and native beliefs.” Others, like @ThuliSaul_, were more direct: “Why are they there? Let’s stop this pity party. Stop forcing yourselves where y’all not wanted.”
The incident has also fueled discussions about the possibility of an African pope, a topic that has gained traction following Pope Francis’ death. Reuters reported on April 23, 2025, that many African Catholics, such as Charles Yapi, a priest in Ivory Coast, believe a Black pope is “long overdue” and could “revive the Christian faith in Africa.” Names like Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana have been floated as potential candidates, though Vatican insiders remain skeptical of an African pope being elected due to a lack of public scrutiny compared to Western cardinals.
Pope Francis, known for his humility and focus on inclusion, simplified papal funeral rites before his death, opting for a single wooden coffin lined with zinc and rejecting the elaborate rituals of past popes. His funeral, scheduled for April 26, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square, will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, with world leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump and France’s President Emmanuel Macron in attendance. Following the funeral, the Pope’s coffin will be moved to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major for entombment, breaking from the tradition of burial in St. Peter’s Basilica.
As the Vatican prepares for the conclave to elect the next pope, the incident has highlighted the need for greater inclusivity within the Church. With Africa being the fastest-growing region for Catholicism, the events at St. Peter’s Basilica serve as a stark reminder of the challenges the Church faces in ensuring that all its members feel equally valued and respected. For now, the mourning period continues, but for many African Catholics, the pain of exclusion has added a layer of sorrow to an already somber occasion.
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