Pope Francis, Football’s Faithful Fan in the Vatican, Dies at 88
Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, the Vatican announced. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, his passing concludes a 12-year pontificate that began in 2013. Beyond his role as the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics, Pope Francis captured global attention for his lifelong, fervent love for football, particularly his beloved Buenos Aires team, San Lorenzo and the Argentinian national team.
Serie A Matches Postponed
In response to Pope Francis’s death, Italy’s top football league, Serie A, postponed all four matches scheduled for Easter Monday, April 21, 2025. The postponed fixtures were Torino vs Udinese, Cagliari vs Fiorentina, Genoa vs Lazio, and Parma vs Juventus. The league announced that the rescheduled dates would be determined later. This decision reflects the significant impact of the Pope’s passing in Italy and echoes similar measures taken after the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005.
A Lifelong Passion: San Lorenzo and Argentina
Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s story began in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936. From his earliest childhood days, Bergoglio was a devoted supporter, a ‘hincha’, of Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro. He was a card-carrying member (socio) number 88235N. The club itself has spiritual roots, founded in 1908 by a Salesian priest, Father Lorenzo Bartolomé Martín Massa, partly to provide a safe place for local boys to play football. When San Lorenzo won the prestigious South American club competition, the Copa Libertadores, for the first time in 2014, the team presented the trophy to the Pope during a public audience.
Beyond his club loyalty, Pope Francis was a passionate supporter of the Argentinian national team. His papacy coincided with significant moments for the team, and he had memorable encounters with Argentinian football legends Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona. In August 2013, he hosted both the Argentinian and Italian national teams at the Vatican, reminding players of their responsibility as role models. Upon Maradona’s death in 2020, Pope Francis remembered him fondly, stating, “On the field he was a poet”.
Football as a School for Life
For Pope Francis, football was more than a game; it was a vehicle for essential human and spiritual values. He often spoke of sport promoting teamwork and fair play, arguing that belonging to a team “means to reject all forms of selfishness and isolation”. He believed that “in sport, as in life, competing for the result is important, but playing well and fairly is even more important”. This philosophy was embodied in the Interreligious Match for Peace, an initiative desired by Pope Francis, which brought together legendary players from diverse religious backgrounds to promote dialogue and peace.
A Final Whistle: Legacy of Faith and Fandom
Pope Francis’s death marks the end of a papacy that sought a connection with the modern world. His open passion for football played a role, humanizing the figure of the Pope and making him relatable to millions globally. His support for San Lorenzo and Argentina, and his use of football analogies, created connection points transcending cultural divides, complementing his focus on humility, the poor, and peace. The football world remembers a Pope who showed that faith and fandom could walk hand-in-hand.
