Bishop Dickerson Wells from the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) will attend Pope Francis' funeral in Vatican City

Photo: Bishop Dickerson Wells

Bishop Dickerson Wells from Memphis, TN will attend Pope Francis' funeral on behalf of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC).

Bishop Wells serves as the Adjutant General for COGIC.

He is also the Bishop for King of Glory COGIC in Rossville, TN near Memphis. In 1978, he was the youngest minister at the time to be ordained as a clergyman in the COGIC denomination in the state of Tennessee.

Bishop Wells leaves for Vatican City on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

COGIC said they're grateful for the Pope's efforts in fostering unity and peace across different faiths.

Bishop Wells' presence at the funeral represents a sign of the bond between the two churches.

Bishop Wells told FOX13 in Memphis, "This is a lifetime experience that one would not ever dream about attending, but to have been asked is very humbling, and it causes one to examine themselves and to make sure their life is also one of service."

The Church of God in Christ is the largest predominantly Black Pentecostal denomination in the United States. Its Presiding Bishop is J. Drew Sheard of Detroit.

Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on April 21, 2025 after suffering a stroke.

The pope is the bishop of Rome and the head of the worldwide Catholic Church.

The global Catholic population is estimated at around 1.4 billion people, which represents approximately 17.7% of the world's total population.

Several heads of state, including US President Trump, are currently scheduled to attend the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, April 26th.

The Catholic College of Cardinals will meet in conclave in the Sistine Chapel to debate and then vote for Pope Francis's successor.