Global sports community mourns Pope Francis, Serie A matches postponed

The world of sports united in mourning following the passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88, with tributes pouring in from across the globe and major sporting events in Italy postponed out of respect.

On Easter Monday, all scheduled sports events in Italy were called off, including four Serie A matches: Torino vs. Udinese, Cagliari vs. Fiorentina, Genoa vs. Lazio, and Parma vs. Juventus, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

The Italian league confirmed the matches will be rescheduled for April 23. A minute of silence is set to be observed before all upcoming sports events this week, the Italian Olympic Committee announced.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino paid tribute on Instagram, saying he was “deeply saddened” by the pope’s death.

“I was privileged enough to spend some time with him on a couple of occasions, and he always shared his enthusiasm for football and stressed the important role our sport plays in society,” Infantino wrote. “All the prayers of the whole football world are with him.”

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal also expressed his sorrow, posting his “sincere condolences” in Spanish on X.

Pope Francis’ love for football was widely known. A lifelong supporter of the Argentine club San Lorenzo, he was even a registered member, holding ID No. 88,235. “He was always one of us,” San Lorenzo said in an Instagram tribute, recalling how he cheered their 1946 championship team as a boy. After his election in 2013, San Lorenzo won the national title and the Copa Libertadores, and club officials traveled twice to the Vatican to thank him. A new stadium in Buenos Aires is planned to bear his name.

Francis also met Argentine legend Diego Maradona twice. In 2014, Maradona gifted him a jersey with “Francisco” and his iconic No. 10. “I think we all now realize he’s a (star),” Maradona later said. “I’m Francis’ top fan.”

Real Madrid issued a statement: “Pope Francis has represented an enormous spirit of solidarity and support for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people.”

Former Italian captain Gianluigi Buffon wrote, “He showed us the way with great courage and moved our souls. I will carry his example forever in my heart.”

By Vafa Guliyeva