Top soccer The League in Italy postponed its matches scheduled for Monday after the death of Pope Francis, who, at 88, recently fell ill and was hospitalized with double pneumonia.
Four Serie A games have been postponed to a later date, the Italian The football league has announced in an article on X.
Pope Francis has a gift from FC Bayern Mugenchen during a private audience with the Vatican Palace team on October 22, 2014. (Alexander Hassenstein / Bongarts / Getty Images)
“After the death of His Holiness, Lega Nazionale Professionali Serie A can confirm that today’s championship matches in Serie A and Primavera 1 have been postponed,” said the post. “The date of reorganized devices will be announced in due time.”
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The correspondence between Torino and Udinese, Cagliari and Fiorentina, Genoa and Lazio and Parma against Juventus were all affected by the postponement.
Pope Francis Passed early Monday morning, just a day after its appearance on Saint-Pierre square in the city of the Vatican in honor of the celebration of Easter. From the Balcony of the Saint-Pierre Basilica, he made a blessing on the thousands of people present.
Its Sunday appearance came for weeks after being hospitalized for a respiratory crisis which turned into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12 -year papacy.
Pope Francis receives a shirt from San Lorenzo, the Buenos Aires football team, while welcoming the faithful before Easter mass on March 31, 2013 in the city of Vatican. (Dan Kitwood / Getty Images)
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Tributes flocked for Pope Francis, known as a passionate football fan and a supporter of his beloved Buenos Aires Club, San Lorenzo.
“Italian football joins the mourning of millions of people after the death of Pope Francis. It was an excellent example of Christian benevolence and dignity in the face of suffering and it has always been attentive to the world of sport and in particular football, of which it was a fan.
“He will always stay in the hearts of the faithful and football lovers.”
Pope Francis exchanges gifts with Gianluigi Buffon in Italy during an audience at the Vatican on August 13, 2013. (Claudio Villa / Getty Images)
The former captain of the Italian national team, Gianluigi Buffon, who met the Pope on several occasions, described Francis as a “special pope” in a post on Instagram.
“Francis was a special pope, capable of lighting up in his time as only the biggest can,” reads his article in part. “He showed us the way with great courage and has emined our souls. I will carry his example forever in my heart.”
