Serie A Matches Postponed to Mourn Pope Francis’ Passing

• Apr 22, 2025

Serie A has postponed its scheduled matches for Monday following the death of Pope Francis, reflecting Italy’s deep respect for the late pontiff and the cultural ties between football and Catholic tradition.

The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis, aged 88, passed away on Easter Monday, a national holiday in Italy. In response, Italy’s top football league rescheduled four Serie A fixtures that were originally planned for April 21. The affected matches — Torino vs Udinese, Cagliari vs Fiorentina, Genoa vs Lazio, and Parma vs Juventus — will now be played on Wednesday, April 23, with all games kicking off at 17:30 BST.

The decision to delay the matches aligns with past Italian practices of honoring national and religious figures through official pauses in major events. Similar steps were taken in 2005 following the death of Pope John Paul II.

Pope Francis was known for his love of football, especially his lifelong support for the Argentine club San Lorenzo. The Buenos Aires-based team paid tribute to him with a heartfelt message, calling him an honorary member and praising his generous spirit. “He celebrated every achievement with us with enormous generosity,” the club said, recalling how he frequently welcomed team representatives to the Vatican.

Several Serie A clubs also expressed their condolences and paid tribute to the pope. AS Roma described him as “a moral reference of our time,” highlighting how his humility and moral courage had a global impact.

While the rescheduling poses some challenges for teams involved in European competitions, such as Juventus and Lazio, league officials stressed that the move was important to honor the spiritual significance of the pope’s death and the mourning period observed across the country.

Memorial services are being held throughout Italy as fans, religious leaders, and citizens reflect on Pope Francis’ legacy. Known for promoting compassion, humility, and interfaith dialogue, the Argentine-born pope left a mark not only on the Catholic Church but also on global culture — including the world of football.