How The Sports World Is Reacting to the Death of Pope Francis ...Middle East

The late Pope Francis was remembered by individuals and organizations from all corners of the sports world following news of his passing. 

The Vatican announced Francis’ death at the age of 88 on Monday, April 21, after he had been receiving care for double pneumonia. 

The New York Times reported on Monday, April 21, that Francis’ cause of death was ruled as a cerebral stroke, followed by a coma and “irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.”

“Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” a statement from Cardinal Kevin Farrell read. “His whole life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized.”

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Francis had served as the leader of the Catholic Church since 2013. 

For how the late Pope was eulogized by the sports world at large, keep reading. 

Italian Soccer League Pauses Action

Italian soccer league Serie A postponed all of their games scheduled for Monday after Francis’ death. 

Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church, was a notoriously massive soccer fan.

“Following the passing of His Holiness, Lega Nazionale Professionisti Serie A can confirm that today’s league games in Serie A and Primavera 1 have been postponed,” the league said in a statement.

All games have been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 23. A moment of silence will be held before all Italian sporting events this week, the Olympic Committee announced. 

San Lorenzo Remembers One of Their Biggest Fans

San Lorenzo de Almagro, the Argentinian professional soccer team beloved by Francis, paid their respects in a series of social media posts. 

The organization called Francis “one of ours” in a post shared via Instagram on Monday. 

In a separate post, the team announced their facilities would be closed until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22.

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he was “deeply saddened” over the Pope’s death.

“I was privileged enough to spend some time with him on a couple of occasions, and he always shared his enthusiasm for football and stressed the important role our sport plays in society,” Infantino shared via Instagram. “All the prayers of the whole football world are with him.”

Lionel Messi

Argentinian soccer superstar Lionel Messi shared a photo from a meeting with Francis, calling him “a different Pope.”

“Thank you for making the world a better place,” Messi, 37, wrote via his Instagram Story. “We will miss you.”

John Calipari

Arkansas men’s college basketball coach, John Calipari, took to social media after finding out about Francis’ death. 

‘I woke up to the news that Pope Francis had passed away at age 88 after fighting pneumonia for sometime,” Calipari, 66, wrote via X. “He was a Pope for social justice for the poor and many firsts. Lived a humble life right to the end and never forgot his roots.”

Calipari added, “He will be missed by all of us Catholics around the world.”

American Professional Sports Teams Pay Homage

The NFL’s New Orleans Saints honored Francis after the team’s recent history with the Pope. 

“Our sincere prayers and thoughts on the passing of Pope Francis ,” the organization posted via X on Monday. 

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was accompanied by a picture of Saints owner, Gayle Benson, presenting Francis with a Saints jersey during a trip to the Vatican last year. 

In November 2024, Francis’ X account used the #Saints hashtag in a post, which automatically triggered the NFL’s team’s logo to be used in his message inadvertently. 

The NBA’s Atlanta Hawks also posted about Francis’ passing on Monday. 

“Your message of peace, love, and unity inspired millions around the world,” the team shared via X. “Rest in peace, Pope Francis.”

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