Fraudsters Exploit Papal Visit to Africa, Selling Fake Tickets to Pilgrims
YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon – With just one week before Pope Leo XIV arrives for a historic 10-day apostolic journey across Central and West Africa, church authorities are warning that fraudsters are exploiting the faithful by selling counterfeit tickets to papal events.
Pilgrims from Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad, and the Central African Republic have reportedly fallen prey to scammers peddling fake admission passes for masses and other ceremonies involving the pontiff.
The pope is scheduled to travel from April 13–23, 2026, with stops in Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.
In a statement issued Thursday, the Catholic Church in Cameroon urgently clarified that all services and ceremonies featuring Pope Leo XIV during his visit are completely free and open to the public. No tickets are required or being sold through any official channel.
“Worshippers hoping to attend papal masses are being deceived,” a church spokesperson said. “We urge the faithful to report any individuals attempting to sell access to these events.”
During his stop in Cameroon on April 15, Pope Leo XIV is expected to meet with local communities, prisoners, and healthcare workers.
Church authorities are advising pilgrims to rely only on official communications from dioceses and parish leadership for schedules and safety guidance. Local law enforcement has been alerted to the fraudulent schemes targeting vulnerable worshippers who have traveled long distances in hopes of seeing the pope.
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