By On April 21, 2025, the football world came to a standstill in Italy as Serie A postponed all scheduled matches following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88. The announcement, made by Sky Sports News, reverberated across the nation, reflecting the profound cultural and spiritual influence of the pontiff, who passed away on Easter Monday at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. The Vatican confirmed his death, initiating formal rites for papal succession, while Italy mourned the loss of a global spiritual leader and a passionate football fan.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, was a lifelong supporter of San Lorenzo, an Argentine Premier League club. His love for football was well-documented—he once humorously described his allegiance to San Lorenzo as a “permanent state of suffering,” a sentiment many fans could relate to.
Elected as pope in 2013, Francis often used sport as a metaphor for unity and peace, embodying the Vatican’s longstanding promotion of athletics as a tool for dialogue and solidarity. His passing prompted an outpouring of tributes, with San Lorenzo releasing a heartfelt statement: “Our hearts ache. Pope Francis has left this world, but he will never leave our hearts.”
The decision to postpone Monday’s Serie A fixtures—Torino vs. Udinese, Cagliari vs. Fiorentina, Genoa vs. Lazio, and Parma vs. Juventus—was a mark of respect, aligning with a broader directive from Italy’s Olympic Committee (CONI) to suspend all sporting events. These matches, originally set for Easter Monday, a national holiday in Italy, have been rescheduled for Wednesday at 1630 GMT, ensuring the nation could collectively honor the pontiff. The Coppa Italia semi-final second leg between Inter Milan and AC Milan, however, will proceed as planned at 1900 GMT.
Reactions on X captured a spectrum of emotions. Some fans, like @PaulHewton2, lamented disrupted betting accumulators, while others, such as @Raulmac04, questioned the intersection of religion and sport. Yet, many, including @Ketty611865, saw the pause as a fitting tribute: “A solemn moment for Italy and the world. Football pauses, respect takes center stage.”
In a country where 74% of the population identifies as Catholic, according to a 2021 Pew Research study, the postponement underscores the deep societal impact of Pope Francis’ death. As Italy grieves, football’s pause serves as a poignant reminder of the pontiff’s unifying legacy—both on and off the pitch.
