Serie A postpones matches after Pope Francis dies

Serie A matches scheduled for Monday have been postponed following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88.

Pope Francis dies at age 88 - Photo: AFP

Information about Pope Francis' passing was confirmed by the Vatican on the afternoon of April 21.

Lega Serie A, the league's organising body, released an official statement: "Following the passing of the Holy Father, Lega Serie A confirms that today's Serie A and Primavera 1 matches have been postponed."

Affected matches include Torino vs Udinese, Cagliari vs Fiorentina, Lazio vs Genoa, and Parma vs Juventus. All of these games have been rescheduled for Wednesday.

However, the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final between the two Milanese teams, Inter and AC Milan, will still take place as originally scheduled.

In a related move, the Italian Olympic Committee also announced that a minute of silence will be held before all sporting events taking place this week across Italy in memory of the Pope.

Several Serie A clubs have expressed their condolences. Inter Milan shared on social network X, describing Pope Francis as "a man of faith, humble and someone who can touch the hearts of people".

Pope Francis is an avid football fan - Photo: Pier Marco Tacca

Roma FC also expressed deep sadness, calling the Pope's passing "a loss that causes profound sadness for our city and the whole world ".

Pope Francis is also known as an avid football fan. He has had the opportunity to meet many stars, coaches and officials in the world of football.

His passion for his hometown club in Buenos Aires, San Lorenzo, is well known. Shortly after he was elected the 266th Pope in March 2013, San Lorenzo posted a picture of him holding the club's badge.

San Lorenzo then won the domestic league title in 2013 and the Copa Libertadores for the first time in its history in 2014, an achievement many fans believe had the "blessing" of the Pope.

Pope Francis has also met fellow countryman Diego Maradona twice. At a special audience during a charity football match in 2014, Maradona presented the Pope with an Argentina national team shirt bearing the name "Francisco" and the iconic number 10. Maradona later said he was the Pope's number one fan.

When Maradona passed away in 2020, Pope Francis also offered prayers for the legend.

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THANH DINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/serie-a-hoan-cac-tran-dau-sau-khi-giao-hoang-francis-qua-doi-20250421212959119.htm