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Sports world honors Pope Francis, a football enthusiast, with Italy and Argentina delaying matches

Sports world honors Pope Francis.

The world of sports came to a solemn pause this week as news spread of the passing of Pope Francis, the beloved Argentine pontiff whose lifelong passion for football left an indelible mark on the game. At 88, the spiritual leader’s death on Easter Monday reverberated far beyond the walls of the Vatican, touching the hearts of athletes, fans, and organizations across the globe. In a gesture of profound respect, top-tier football matches in Italy and Argentina—two nations deeply intertwined with the Pope’s identity—were postponed, while tributes poured in from FIFA, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and countless clubs that cherished his unwavering support for the beautiful game.

In Italy, where Pope Francis spent much of his papacy, Serie A officials announced the suspension of four high-profile matches originally scheduled for Easter Monday. The fixtures—Torino vs. Udinese, Cagliari vs. Fiorentina, Genoa vs. Lazio, and Parma vs. Juventus—were rescheduled for Wednesday, allowing players, staff, and fans to honor the Pope’s legacy.

Similarly, in Argentina, the Pope’s homeland, the football community mirrored this gesture. Three Primera División matches—Tigre vs. Belgrano, Argentinos Juniors vs. Barracas Central, and Independiente Rivadavia vs. Aldosivi—were moved to Tuesday. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed that each game would begin with a minute of silence, a poignant acknowledgment of the man who once served as Archbishop of Buenos Aires before ascending to the papacy in 2013.

San Lorenzo de Almagro: Mourning a Legendary Fan

Pope

Among the clubs grieving, San Lorenzo de Almagro, the Buenos Aires-based team Pope Francis supported since childhood, stood out. Known affectionately as “El Papa” (The Pope) by fans, Francis often reminisced about growing up near the club’s old stadium, where he developed a lifelong love for the team. In a heartfelt statement, San Lorenzo described the pontiff as “more than a fan—he was family.” The club’s social media channels flooded with tributes, including archival photos of Francis wearing the team’s iconic red-and-blue scarf and a video of him joking, “I’d trade the Vatican for a seat at the Nuevo Gasómetro!”

San Lorenzo’s president, Horacio Arreceygor, shared anecdotes of the Pope’s visits to the club, including a 2015 meeting where Francis gifted the team a signed jersey. “He taught us that football isn’t just a sport—it’s a bridge between cultures, a way to uplift communities,” Arreceygor said.

The grief extended far beyond Argentina and Italy. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who had met Pope Francis on multiple occasions, posted an emotional tribute on Instagram. “I was privileged to witness his enthusiasm for football firsthand,” Infantino wrote. “He believed in the power of this sport to unite people, to heal divisions, and to inspire hope. Today, the entire football family mourns with the world.”

Infantino recalled a 2022 meeting at the Vatican where the Pope praised initiatives like the Homeless World Cup, emphasizing football’s role in addressing social inequality. “He urged us to never lose sight of the game’s soul—the joy it brings to children, the solidarity it fosters in communities,” Infantino added.

Thomas Bach, President of the IOC, echoed these sentiments, highlighting Francis’ advocacy for sports as a tool for peace. “He was a steadfast supporter of the Olympic movement and our efforts to assist refugees through sport,” Bach said. The Pope had previously blessed the IOC’s Refugee Olympic Team, calling their participation in the Games “a testament to human resilience.”

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While football dominated the tributes, Pope Francis’ influence touched all corners of the sporting world. In 2016, he hosted a delegation of NBA players at the Vatican, discussing the role of athletes as role models. He also met with rugby teams, Formula 1 drivers, and even Argentine tennis star Juan Martín del Potro, whom he once quipped “could’ve been a decent midfielder.”

His advocacy extended to social justice causes intertwined with sports. In 2020, he publicly backed campaigns to combat racism in football, urging fans to “see the humanity in every player.” He also supported efforts to promote women’s sports, telling a group of female athletes in 2021, “Your strength on the field challenges stereotypes and opens doors for future generations.”

Some Stories from the Community

Beyond official statements, grassroots stories highlighted the Pope’s personal connection to the game. In Rome, local youth teams shared memories of Francis stopping to greet them during his walks near the Vatican. “He’d ask about our matches, our dreams,” recalled 14-year-old midfielder Luca Bianchi. “He made us feel like champions even when we lost.”

In Buenos Aires’ Villa 31 slum, where Francis once worked as a priest, a community soccer league hung black armbands on their jerseys. “He never forgot where he came from,” said coach Marcelo Ruiz. “To us, he was always Jorge Bergoglio—the priest who’d referee our games and remind us to play fair.”

As the sports world grapples with this loss, the postponed matches in Italy and Argentina serve as a reminder of the Pope’s unique ability to bridge faith, culture, and sport. Plans for memorials are already underway, including a charity match between Vatican clergy and San Lorenzo alumni, with proceeds funding youth sports programs in underserved communities—a cause close to Francis’ heart.

In his final years, the Pope often reflected on football as a metaphor for life. “Like the game, we must learn to move forward together,” he said during a 2022 address. “Pass the ball, share the responsibility, and never stop striving for a better world.”

For millions, his words—and his lifelong passion for the game—will endure as a source of inspiration, proving that even in moments of sorrow, sports can unite us in celebration of a life well-lived.