Pope Francis was an avowed football fan – and even received Maradona in 2014. © APA/OSSERVATORE ROMANO / -

Argentina's football carries deep sadness

Following Italy's example, Argentinian football has also reacted to the death of Pope Francis. All matches in the country have been canceled. A special bond existed between the head of the Church and South American football.

21 April 2025

From: dpa/fop

In Italy, all football matches were cancelled on Easter Monday, including the second division match of FC Südtirol. In the meantime, all of these have been rescheduled.

Pope Francis was an avowed football fan and a supporter of the team in his home country Argentina Saint Lawrence of Almagro aus Buenos Aires.

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, later Pope Francis, made no secret of his love for the San Lorenzo football club. © ANSA / ANSA

“Argentine football says goodbye in deep sadness,” said the Argentine Football Association (AFA) in its statement. Minutes of silence are planned for all matches in all leagues in the country for the remainder of the week.

Maradona and the “Hand of God”

“Francis was not only a spiritual but also a football reference,” said Argentina’s association, referring to his meetings with legends such as Lionel Messi and Diego MaradonaThe head of the Catholic Church had also spoken to the latter about his goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England, known as the "Hand of God." "I jokingly asked him which hand was the guilty one," Francis revealed in his autobiography, published at the beginning of the year.

Lionel Messi at a private papal audience in August 2025. © APA/afp / HANDOUT

Lionel Messi expressed his condolences on his social media channels. Just hours after Pope Francis's death, he wrote: "An Argentinian Pope, different, closer. Rest in peace Pope Francis. Thank you for making the world a better place."

According to Vatican sources, Francis died early Monday morning at the age of 88. On Easter Sunday, the Pontiff had given the Easter blessing "Urbi et Orbi" ("to the city and the world") in St. Peter's Square in Rome.