Importance Score: 62 / 100 🔴
Rangers Fans Condemned for Graffiti Mocking Pope Francis’ Death
Glasgow-based Rangers supporters have sparked outrage after allegedly creating offensive graffiti messages in the wake of Pope Francis’ death. The controversial slogans, perceived as mocking the pontiff and aimed at provoking rival Celtic fans, have been widely criticized as disrespectful and disgusting. The incident highlights the ongoing sectarianism associated with the Old Firm rivalry in Scottish football.
Offensive Messages Appear After Pope’s Passing
Members believed to be associated with the Rangers ultras group, known as the Union Bears, are accused of vandalizing a building adjacent to a major motorway with inflammatory messages. The graffiti appeared shortly after the announcement of Pope Francis’ death at the age of 88 on Easter Monday. Official reports indicated the pontiff passed away peacefully at 7:35 am following complications from a stroke and heart failure.
Historical Sectarianism Fuels Outrage
The controversy is deeply rooted in the historical sectarian divide within Glasgow football. Rangers Football Club is traditionally associated with Protestant and Unionist communities, while Celtic Football Club was founded with strong links to the Irish Catholic community. This historical context amplifies the perceived offensiveness of the graffiti, viewed by many as a deliberate act of provocation targeting Celtic supporters and the Catholic community.
Historically, Rangers faced allegations of an unwritten policy against signing Catholic players for several decades, though the veracity of this claim remains debated. The graffiti, featuring phrases such as ‘No Pope of Rome’ and ‘Papa Francesco is dead,’ is seen by many as a continuation of this divisive historical narrative.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Graffiti attributed to Rangers fans, containing messages mocking the passing of Pope Francis.
Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 on Monday morning, according to medical sources.
The rivalry between Rangers and Celtic has long been characterized by sectarianism, reflecting Protestant and Catholic affiliations.
Condemnation from Fans and Public
The building on MacLellan Street in Glasgow, situated near the M8 and M77 motorways, is a known location for graffiti from both Rangers and Celtic fans due to its high visibility. However, the nature of these messages has triggered widespread condemnation.
Responses from fans on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) included:
- One Rangers supporter wrote: ‘As a Rangers fan this disgusts me. How many of our own players are we offending here? I have no religious beliefs but I respect those who do. Keep it out of football.’
- Another comment stated: ‘Only thing they can celebrate this season is an 88 year old Argentinian man living in Rome dying. Bit depressing.’
- Further reactions included: ‘Disgraceful, disgusting, and disrespectful.’ and ‘It’s wild that Christians are so anti pope. He’s a man of faith like them. We all praise the same god and aim for the same destiny.’
- One individual questioned: ‘A club for everyone?’ highlighting concerns about inclusivity.
Comparison to Past Incidents
This incident is not isolated in the context of football-related insensitivity towards significant events. In 2022, Celtic fans also faced criticism for their provocative response to the death of Queen Elizabeth II. During a Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk, they displayed anti-monarchy banners. These banners included phrases deemed offensive and disrespectful towards the Royal Family.
Furthermore, during a minute’s applause held in memory of the Queen at a game against St Mirren, some Celtic supporters reportedly engaged in chants against the monarchy, highlighting the complexities of fan reactions to sensitive national events.
The body of Pope Francis was displayed for public viewing at the Vatican.
Footballing Context: Celtic’s Dominance
On the pitch, Celtic appear poised to maintain their dominance over Rangers. Celtic are currently well ahead in the Scottish Premiership, positioned to secure a domestic Treble. They hold a significant points lead over Rangers with only a few games remaining, have already captured the Scottish League Cup, and are set to compete in the Scottish Cup final.
Despite Celtic’s overall success, Rangers have demonstrated competitiveness in head-to-head matches, securing two victories in the recent Old Firm derbies. These victories included a dominant 3-0 win at Ibrox Stadium in January and a narrow 3-2 victory at Celtic Park in March. The two Glasgow giants are scheduled to face each other once more this season.
Upcoming Old Firm Match
The final Old Firm clash of the season is anticipated on May 4th. While Celtic seem likely to secure the league title, the intense rivalry and passion surrounding these fixtures ensure that the upcoming match will be closely followed and fiercely contested, regardless of league standings, despite the shadow of recent off-field controversies.