Julius OkorieItalian Serie A Games, Torino against Udinese, Cagliari against Fiorentina, Genoa against Lazio, and Parma against Juventus originally scheduled to be played on Monday April 21, will now be played on Wednesday April 23.
The shift was announced as a mark of respect for Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church who passed on at 88 in the early hours of Galilee day.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Serie A governing body announced the postponement in response to the significant loss.
The mark of respect for the Pope did not however stop at postponing matches, but also came with emotional outpouring of tributes from Serie A clubs.
AS Roma in a heartfelt statement, said: “Roma joins in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, a loss that deeply saddens our city and the entire world. His faith, humility, courage, and dedication touched the hearts of millions, establishing him as a moral compass of our time and beyond. His legacy of peace and solidarity will remain an enduring example.”
Pope Francis’ death, which came just a day after he made an emotional appearance in St. Peter’s Square to bless thousands of worshippers on Easter Sunday, has left a profound impact on many around the globe.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, did not hide his deep love for the round leather game and creme dela creme of the football fraternity visited him during his reign at the Vatican City.
Pope Francis who hailed from Buenos Aires, Argentina, was a lifelong supporter of his hometown football club, San Lorenzo. His passion for the team was evident when he received a shirt from the club in 2013
As he ascended to the papacy, the Pope had the opportunity to meet some of Argentina’s most revered football figures.
READ ALSO:Pope Francis Passes Away at 88, Ends Transformative 12-Year Pontificate
One of such encounters was with the legendary Diego Maradona at the Vatican in 2014. Maradona, who passed away in 2020, was fondly remembered by Pope Francis, who referred to him as the “poet of soccer” in reflection of his remarkable achievements, including leading Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup.
Another iconic football figure, Lionel Messi, shared memorable moments with the Pope as well. In 2013, Messi, along with Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, exchanged gifts during a visit to the Vatican.
Messi’s illustrious career saw him lead Argentina to the World Cup finals in 2014 and ultimately securing victory in 2022, an achievement celebrated by many, including the Pope.
Throughout his 12 years in the Vatican, Pope Francis graciously welcomed numerous football stars into his home. He held a private audience with Pep Guardiola and his Bayern Munich team in 2014, and Germany’s squad, including Thomas Müller, visited him in 2016 after winning the World Cup.
Having spent a significant part of his life in Italy, it was natural for the Pope to cross paths with some of the country’s greatest footballers. Among his visitors were former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli in 2013 and Juventus icons Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon in 2014.
The Pope’s love for football extended to charitable endeavours as well. Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho presented him with a special shirt ahead of a fundraising match in 2022, while in 2023, Celtic’s Brendan Rodgers gifted him a shirt signed by all the players.
Napoli’s president, Aurelio de Laurentiis, was not left out as he presented him with a club shirt; Pope Francis’ heart remained firmly with San Lorenzo, stressing his loyalty to his roots.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
