RANGERS ultras group the Union Bears sparked fury with a shocking anti-Pope graffiti message just hours after Pope Francis ‘ death.
An image shared by the Casual Ultra Official account on X last night bearing the Union Bears’ watermark shows a building visible to drivers on the M8 and M77 daubed in red, white and blue with the words ‘No Pope of Rome‘ written on the side.
In smaller writing, there’s also the words ‘Papa Francesco is Dead’.
It’s a clear provocation to Scotland‘s Catholic community, many of whom will be affected by the passing of the pope at the age of 88.
In a football context, their vile taunts had also has echoes of the tasteless ‘Lizzie’s in a Box’ chants from fans of Celtic, Dundee Utd and Scotland around the time of the passing ofQueen Elizabeth back in September 2022.
The building on Glasgow‘s MacLellan Street is regularly used for graffiti from fans of BOTH Old Firm clubs.
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Celtic ultras also spotted making a displays in green white and orange on the same bit of wall with the words ‘No Flags or Drums’ – a reference to a claim that they stole a haul of equipment from their Rangers rivals.
Fans reacted angrily on X, with one saying: “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.”
A second wrote: “A club for everyone?”
A third said: “Only thing they can celebrate this season is an 88 year old Argentinian man living in Rome dying. Bit depressing.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and a delegation from Celtic met the late pontiff back in 2023, when they were granted a private audience in the Vatican.
The Hoops were in Rome for a Champions League match against Lazio, losing out 2-0.
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The trip to Italy afforded Brendan Rodgers and a handful of his players, including Callum McGregor, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales, the chance to meet the Pope and present him with a signed Celts shirt with ‘Francis’ on the back.
Rodgers had spoken of his excitement at the opportunity before travelling, saying: “That will be absolutely amazing.
“We would be blessed to do that, it would be a real privilege.”
First minister John Swinney led tributes to the Pope as his death at the age of 88 sparked an outpouring of grief around the world.
In a statement published on Twitter/X, Mr Swinney said: “It is with deep sadness I heard the news this morning of the death of Pope Francis.
“He was a voice for peace, tolerance and reconciliation in our society.
