ROME — The tragic passing of Pope Francis on Monday has led to the postponement of significant soccer events in both Italy and Argentina, marking a period of mourning in the sports world. The Buenos Aires club, San Lorenzo, which the Argentine-born pontiff ardently supported, is grieving along with numerous fans who cherished him.
In Italy, a series of premier soccer matches set for Easter Monday were deferred. The Serie A games—Torino vs. Udinese, Cagliari vs. Fiorentina, Genoa vs. Lazio, and Parma vs. Juventus—will now take place on Wednesday. Simultaneously, Argentina delayed three principal games from Monday to Tuesday: Tigre vs. Belgrano, Argentinos Juniors vs. Barracas Central, and Independiente Rivadavia vs. Aldosivi. Each of these matches will begin with a minute of silence in memory of Francis, who previously served as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires before his papal election.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino expressed his deep sorrow over the pope’s demise. “His passion for football and his belief in its role in society left an indelible mark on everyone he interacted with,” Infantino shared on Instagram, sending prayers from the global football community. Likewise, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach spoke of a heartfelt loss, acknowledging Francis’ unwavering support for the Olympic movement and peace initiatives.
From the moment he became the first pope from Latin America in 2013, Francis’s enthusiasm for soccer was evident. San Lorenzo, the club he supported fervently, shared a poignant tribute on Instagram, celebrating Francis’ lifelong loyalty as he even held a membership with ID No. 88,235. Garnering admiration as “the Saints,” San Lorenzo found renewed success with Francis’ papal election in 2013, achieving a national title and winning the Copa Libertadores for the first time, under his spiritual encouragement. The club plans to honor him further by naming a new stadium after him.
Rumors suggest that Francis also harbored fondness for Juventus, attributed to his family’s roots in Italy’s Piedmont region. His interactions with football notables like Diego Maradona have been well-documented. In a memorable 2014 meeting with Maradona, the legendary player gifted a jersey bearing “Francisco” and Maradona’s iconic No. 10. Upon Maradona’s passing in 2020, the pope offered reflective prayers for his fellow Argentine.
Lionel Messi, yet another Argentinian soccer icon, acknowledged Francis’ positive impact on the world, expressing his admiration on Instagram. Real Madrid, a top European soccer club, joined in mourning the revered pontiff on their social media platforms. Referencing a 2013 gathering with national teams from Argentina and Italy, Francis emphasized the societal responsibility athletes bear as role models, urging them to set positive examples both on and off the field.
Throughout his papacy, Francis championed sports as a conduit for unity and inclusion, particularly among youth. At a 2016 faith and sport conference, he called for diligent action against corruption in athletics and advocated safeguarding sporting integrity against commercial exploitation. Former Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon, who frequently met with the pope, described Francis as a luminary figure whose courage and inspiration would remain forever etched in his heart.