High-profile soccer games across Italy and Argentina were put on hold following the death of Pope Francis on Monday. The Buenos Aires team he fervently supported mourns the loss of its iconic fan. Sports fans around the globe expressed their condolences as Francis passed away at the age of 88.
All scheduled sports events in Italy on Easter Monday were canceled, including four Serie A matches: Torino vs. Udinese, Cagliari vs. Fiorentina, Genoa vs. Lazio, and Parma vs. Juventus, which are now set to take place on Wednesday.
In Argentina, three major games were rescheduled from Monday to Tuesday: Tigre vs. Belgrano, Argentinos Juniors vs. Barracas Central, and Independiente Rivadavia vs. Aldosivi. Each match will observe a minute of silence to respect Francis, who served as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires before becoming pope.
FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, expressed his grief by stating he was “deeply saddened” by the pope’s demise. He shared how lucky he felt to have met him, noting how Francis always emphasized the positive influence of football on society, adding, “All the prayers of the whole football world are with him.”
International Olympic Committee president, Thomas Bach, remarked on losing a cherished ally of the Olympic movement, praising Francis’ consistent support of peace and the many initiatives regarding refugees.
Pope and San Lorenzo
Francesco’s enthusiasm for soccer was apparent soon after his election as the first Latin American pope in 2013, evident when Argentine club San Lorenzo tweeted a picture of him holding their crest. He was even an official member of San Lorenzo, boasting ID No. 88,235. The club is affectionately nicknamed ’the Saints.'
“He was always one of us,” San Lorenzo acknowledged on Instagram, recalling how Francis witnessed its championship-winning team in 1946 as a child.
After Francis became pope in 2013, San Lorenzo enjoyed considerable success, clinching a national title that same year and winning the Copa Libertadores the following year. Club representatives made two trips to the Vatican bearing trophies to express their gratitude.
Plans for a new San Lorenzo stadium will honor Francis’ legacy.
In Italy, there were claims that Francis had a soft spot for Juventus, given his family’s roots in the Piedmont region where the club originates. His father, Mario Bergoglio, was also a basketball player.
Pope and Maradona
Pope Francis met with fellow Argentine Diego Maradona twice during his papacy. In 2014, at a charity soccer match, Maradona gifted Francis a jersey bearing the name “Francisco” and his own number 10.
“We all now realize he’s a star,” Maradona commented after their second meeting in 2015, declaring himself Francis’ biggest fan. Following Maradona’s death in 2020, Francis remembered him in prayer.
Lionel Messi, another Argentine football legend, expressed his sorrow on Instagram, writing, “Thank you for making the world a better place. We will miss you.”
Real Madrid paid tribute to Francis through a heartfelt message on Instagram.
During an encounter with national teams from Argentina and Italy shortly after his papacy began, Francis highlighted the influential role athletes play, reminding them that they have a social responsibility as public figures, saying, “People follow you, not just on the field but off it, too.”
Francis frequently recognized sports as a pathway for fostering inclusion and unity, particularly for the younger generation. During a global conference on faith and sport in 2016, he urged sport leaders to combat corruption in sports and advocate for the integrity of sporting events.
“Francis was an extraordinary pope who illuminated his epoch like only the greatest can,” Gianluigi Buffon noted on Instagram, reflecting on the many times he met the pontiff. “He guided us with courage and touched our souls. I will forever hold his example close to my heart.”
