The Italian football league, Serie A, has postponed all matches scheduled for Monday following the death of Pope Francis. The league has officially confirmed this decision but has yet to announce a new date for the games.
On Monday morning, the Vatican released a video confirming the passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who will oversee the Vatican until a new pope is appointed, announced the news in the video.
"At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to his father’s house," Farrell stated. "His life was committed to the Lord and his service to the church."
Originally, four matches were set to take place on Monday, including one featuring Juventus and Lazio. Although Inter Milan, the current Serie A leaders, were not scheduled to play that day, the team honored the late pope on X, praising him as "a man of faith, humility, and dialogue who could touch anyone’s heart."
In addition to the postponement, the Italian Olympic Committee has mandated that all sporting events this week will include a moment of silence in memory of Pope Francis. While the Vatican is situated in Rome, it operates as an independent state within Italy.
Pope Francis, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was a passionate football supporter, particularly of San Lorenzo, one of Argentina’s oldest clubs. He had the Vatican team visit him twice during his papacy and met with legendary Argentine player Diego Maradona on two occasions. During their 2014 encounter, Maradona famously gifted Pope Francis a jersey with the number 10, the same number he wore throughout his career.
Fan Take: This news resonates deeply with soccer fans, as Pope Francis was not only a spiritual leader but also a genuine supporter of the sport. His passing introduces a moment of reflection on the intersection of faith and football, reminding fans of the cultural and emotional ties that bind communities through the beautiful game.
