In a moment that united faith, sport, and national pride, the football world paused to honor Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88. From Lionel Messi's heartfelt message to San Lorenzo's moving gestures, the tributes were as emotional as they were symbolic. This was no ordinary farewell; it was a send-off from a global community touched by the humanity and humility of a football-loving pope.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, wasn’t just a casual fan. He was a card-carrying member of San Lorenzo, one of Argentina’s oldest football clubs, founded in 1908 by a priest. His love for the team began in his childhood and continued throughout his papacy.
He celebrated Mass in the club’s chapel and proudly displayed San Lorenzo jerseys in the Vatican. His connection with the team wasn’t political or ceremonial it was personal, emotional, and deeply rooted in his identity.
Francis also used football as a bridge for peace and dialogue. Shortly after becoming pope, he organized the "Match for Peace," which brought together global icons like Messi, Ronaldinho, and Buffon. The event wasn’t just about sport; it was about unity.
On the day of Pope Francis’ death, Lionel Messi shared a photo of himself with the pontiff on Instagram. His message read:
“RIP Pope Francis. Thank you for making the world a better place. We will miss you.”
The simplicity of Messi’s words echoed with sincerity. He referred to Francis as a different kind of pope "close" and "Argentinean," a man who carried the values of their homeland to the Vatican.
Leo Messi on IG: "A different Pope, close, Argentine…RIP Pope Francis. Thank you for making the world a better place. We will miss you." 📲❤️ pic.twitter.com/k8SDuE7xle
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) April 21, 2025
In a memorable 2023 interview, Pope Francis was asked to choose between Messi and Diego Maradona. Ever the diplomat, he named Pelé instead, describing the Brazilian legend as "a man of heart." While he admired both Argentine legends, it was their character not just their skills that mattered to him.
San Lorenzo led the football community in paying tribute. The club adorned its homepage with a smiling image of the pope and the words: "Goodbye forever, Holy Father." The team’s chapel stayed open late into the night for fans to pray and reflect.
A viral image of his membership card number 88235 sparked emotional reactions, especially given the eerie match with his time of death in Argentina: 2:35 p.m., at age 88.
In a powerful move, San Lorenzo confirmed that its new 55,000-seat stadium will be named after Pope Francis. He had accepted the honor in a 2024 Vatican meeting, showing yet again his enduring bond with the club.
Out of respect, Serie A postponed all Monday matches. Italy’s Olympic Committee also called for a minute of silence to be observed in all sporting events for the week.
In Argentina, the Football Association delayed games and encouraged teams to honor Francis with moments of silence and special jerseys. On Saturday, San Lorenzo players will wear commemorative jerseys in his honor against Rosario Central.
Serie A have postponed all matches today due to the death of the Pope 🇮🇹❤️ pic.twitter.com/16QsuaMnZ0
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) April 21, 2025
Pope Francis often used football metaphors to convey messages of unity, humility, and teamwork. He once described a good team player as someone who "never hogs the ball" a reflection of his own leadership style.
He cautioned against idolizing athletes, even gently criticizing calling Messi "a god," reminding fans that while admiration is natural, deification is not. "It's a joy to watch him play," Francis said, "but he's not God."
The tributes to Pope Francis weren’t obligatory they were heartfelt. Whether from Messi’s understated message, or San Lorenzo’s symbolic acts, or global leagues’ pauses, the respect was universal. The pope's legacy in football goes beyond fandom; it lies in how he used the game to bring people together, always guided by humility, passion, and peace.
