Soccer news: Serie A postpones matches following Pope Francis death

The Serie A, the top soccer league in Italy, has made the decision to postpone its matches scheduled for Monday following the passing of Pope Francis. The beloved pontiff, who recently fell ill and was hospitalized with double pneumonia at the age of 88, passed away early Monday morning. As a mark of respect, four Serie A matches have been rescheduled to a later date, as announced by the Italian football league.

The impacted matches include Torino vs. Udinese, Cagliari vs. Fiorentina, Genoa vs. Lazio, and Parma vs. Juventus. The new dates for these fixtures will be communicated in due course by the league.

Pope Francis had made a public appearance just a day before his passing, blessing the crowds gathered at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City for Easter celebrations. This appearance came after a 38-day hospitalization, his longest during his 12-year papacy, due to a respiratory crisis that led to double pneumonia.

Tributes have poured in for Pope Francis from all quarters, with the Italian soccer federation president Gabriele Gravina acknowledging his influence on the sports world, particularly soccer. Pope Francis was known to be an avid soccer fan and a supporter of his favorite team, San Lorenzo from Buenos Aires.

Former captain of Italy’s national team Gianluigi Buffon, who had the privilege of meeting the pontiff on multiple occasions, described Pope Francis as a “special pope” in a heartfelt Instagram post. He praised the late pope for his courage and ability to inspire others, promising to carry his example in his heart forever.

The passing of Pope Francis has deeply impacted not just the soccer community, but people worldwide who admired his compassion and dedication to serving others. His legacy will continue to inspire and resonate with millions across the globe.

As the soccer world mourns the loss of a great fan and supporter, the rearranged Serie A matches will serve as a poignant reminder of Pope Francis’ love for the sport and his ability to unite people from all walks of life. May his memory continue to live on in the hearts of both soccer lovers and faithful followers around the world.