A wave of mourning swept across Italy and the footballing world on Monday following the death of Pope Francis, prompting the postponement of all four scheduled Serie A matches in honor of the late pontiff.
The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88, just days after being discharged from the hospital following five weeks of treatment for a serious infection. The news sent shockwaves through the Catholic community and beyond, with tributes pouring in from religious leaders, global figures, and Serie A clubs alike.
In a mark of deep national respect, Italy’s top-flight league announced the postponement of Monday’s four Easter fixtures, which were to be held on the national holiday:
- Torino vs Udinese
- Cagliari vs Fiorentina
- Genoa vs Lazio
- Parma vs Juventus
The Lega Serie A has rescheduled these matches for Wednesday, 23 April, with all four kickoffs set for 17:30 BST.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, was elected the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church in 2013, succeeding Pope Benedict XVI. Known for his humility, social advocacy, and unifying presence, Pope Francis was widely regarded as a spiritual and moral compass for millions worldwide.
A lifelong football enthusiast, Pope Francis was a passionate supporter of San Lorenzo, one of Argentina’s most historic football clubs. San Lorenzo released a heartfelt tribute following the announcement of his death:
“Our hearts ache. Pope Francis has left this world, but he will never leave our hearts. An honorary member of our club, his passion for San Lorenzo always moved us especially, and unites us in a constant prayer for his soul. He celebrated every achievement with us with enormous generosity, receiving the delegations that visited him in the Vatican during his papacy.”
Serie A giants also paid homage to the pontiff. AS Roma, in a touching statement, said:
“A loss that deeply saddens our city and the entire world. His faith, his humility, his courage and his dedication have touched the hearts of millions of people, making him a moral reference of our time.”
As Italy begins a period of national mourning, Pope Francis’s profound legacy continues to resonate far beyond the Vatican walls – reaching even into the heart of Italian football, where his values of compassion, unity, and humility live on.
Credit Photo : Serie A
