Football joins the tributes to Pope Francis, the first Catholic hierarchy of Latin America and a confessed fan of the sport of King who died this Monday, in whose honor a minute of silence will be kept in the games organized in South America by Conmebol.
This was announced by the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol), based in the Paraguayan city of Luque, through its social networks.
“His humility, his message of peace and his passion for football will leave an indelible legacy,” he published in his account in X the governing body of South American football.
The tribute will be fulfilled “in all parties organized by the institution,” added the message. This week different matches are scheduled by the group stage of the Libertadores and South American Cups, in charge of Conmebol.
It should be noted that this Monday, the president of Conmebol, Alejandro Domínguez, expressed his “deep regret” for the departure of the Pontiff and recalled the humility of Pope Francis, in addition to his “passion for football” and his calls to peace.
Born in Buenos Aires (Argentina), Jorge Mario Bergoglio – Pope Francis – was fond of football and fan of the San Lorenzo de Almagro club.
As a good Argentine, the Pope not only enjoyed the successes of his team, but also of the Albiceleste team, with which he could enjoy his three world titles: Argentina 1978, Mexico 1986 and Catar 2022.
The public funeral of Pope Francis began on Wednesday, with the transfer of the coffin to the Basilica of San Pedro to receive the tribute of the faithful, who will have three days to say goodbye to the Pontiff.
Sport cries Francisco
The world of sport cries the death of Pope Francis, who died at 88 this Monday, a “sad day,” as the Spanish Rafa Nadal, one of the best Spanish athletes and the history of tennis, said before the goodbye of a real passionate about football.
From the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, to the football clubs of Argentina and Italy, which suspended the scheduled matches, through members of the Argentine National Team, World Champion in 2022, the detail that all of them highlighted was the “Passion for Football” by Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
But, above that “enthusiasm,” as defined by the Swiss FIFA leader, something that always characterized Pope Francis was his “love for the cyclone”, his beloved San Lorenzo de Almagro, the Barca club that dedicated a sense of tribute in social networks.
Dybala and Messi, world champions united in crying the captain of the Argentine soccer team, Lionel Messi, expressed his regret for the death of Francisco, which he highlighted on his Instagram account he had made of the world “a better place” and concluded: “We are going to miss you.”
“A different, close, Argentine Pope … QEPD (may rest) Pope Francis,” said Inter de Miami striker.
His partner also in the world champion team in 2022 – a final that the Pope did not see because he did not follow games by that medium since 1990- Paulo Dybala alluded to his death.
During an act in Madrid as Ambassador of Laureus, in which a minute of silence was kept in Francisco’s memory, the Rome striker said that “his passion for football made him even bigger” and pointed out that “it is a very large loss in every way.”
He was never one more and it was always one of ours. Cuervo de Niño and Men … Crow as a priest and cardinal … Cuervo also as Pope …
He always transmitted his passion for the cyclone: when he went to the old gasometer to see the team of 46, when he confirmed Angelito … pic.twitter.com/nvc8fwc9wi
– San Lorenzo (@sanlorenzo) April 21, 2025
Without a doubt, the most emotional message of Argentine football came from San Lorenzo, the club of which Francisco was a declared fan.
In his official account in the social network X, the club founded in 1908 by Father Lorenzo Massa wrote that “there was something that never changed” in his transition from Jorge Mario Bergoglio to the Supreme Pontiff, which was “his love for the cyclone.”
«It was never one more and it was always one of ours. Cuervo de Niño and Men … Cuervo as a priest and cardinal … Cuervo also as Pope … », posted the club of the neighborhood of Almagro, of which Bergoglio had the partner number 88235.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) announced the cancellation of all the matches scheduled for this Monday in grief and were postponed to Tuesday.
The agency also published an extensive farewell message to Francisco, which he described as “a reference not only spiritual, but also football”, which “dedicated his life to the Church and never hid his passion for football and his unconditional love for San Lorenzo de Almagro,” whose only title of Copa Libertadores in 2014 arrived shortly after occupying the chair of St. Peter, in 2013.
Other clubs, such as Boca Juniors, River Plate or Racing Club, in addition to the Spaniards Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid or Barcelona, also posted in their networks remembering the figure of Francisco.
High estates of world football The Swiss Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, said he was sad “the news of Pope Francis’s death and assured that the occasions he spent time with him” always shared his enthusiasm for football. “
He also recalled that, for Bergoglio, “football is the most beautiful sport in the world,” as he said on occasion and that he always aspired to be football to be “a unifying force worldwide and a positive force for good.”
#Papafrancisco pic.twitter.com/9edo8mlgpc
– Vatican News (@vaticannews_PT) April 21, 2025
In addition to the world of football, tennis was also present to talk about this “sad day”, as the Spanish Rafa Nadal described, retired from active practice last year.
«I would like to express my most sincere condolences for the death of Pope Francis. Rest in peace, ”he posted.
Also the Argentine Formula One pilot Franco Colapinto (Alpine) regretted this Monday the disappearance of Bergoglio, whom he described as an inspiring leader.
«A leader who inspired us to be better people. With his humility and his way of being, ”wrote the Argentine pilot in his profile of the Social Network Instagram, who thanked him for the help to” find strength and inspiration. “
In addition, the German Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (COI), stressed that with Francisco’s goodbye “a great friend and defender of the Olympic movement.”
“His support for the peace and solidarity mission of the Olympic Games and the numerous initiatives of the IOC in favor of refugees has been unwavering,” he said in a message posted on Bach social networks, which will leave the presidency of the agency in June, when it will be replaced by the Kirsty Coventry Zimbabuese.
