April 21 will go down as a solemn day for millions around the globe, as it was announced that Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State, had passed away at the age of 88.
As tributes pour in from every corner of the world, Italy has taken a united step to honor the Pontiff’s legacy—by halting all football activity across the country.
In a powerful gesture of respect, all sporting fixtures scheduled for Easter Monday have been suspended, including matches in Serie A, Serie B, Serie C, and amateur leagues. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed the decision shortly after the announcement of the Pope’s passing.
FIGC president Gabriele Gravina expressed deep sorrow on behalf of the Italian football community: “Italian football shares with emotion the grief of hundreds of millions of people for the painful passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. A great example of Christian charity and dignity in suffering, he always showed himself attentive to the world of sport and to football in particular, which he was passionate about.”
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Gravina went on to highlight the Pope’s enduring impact: “His human closeness, as well as spiritual, to the sick, the poor, and the persecuted across the planet was his deepest testimony—a beacon that will illuminate generations to come. He will remain forever in our hearts as faithful and lovers of the game of football.”
Among the high-profile fixtures impacted by the postponement are:
- Juventus vs Parma
- Lazio’s trip to Genoa
- Torino hosting Udinese
- Cagliari facing Fiorentina
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 date of the rearranged fixtures will be announced in due course.
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) April 21, 2025
No rescheduled dates have been confirmed yet, though Serie A teams have just five matches remaining in the current campaign. The same approach was seen in 2005, when Pope John Paul II passed away, and the Italian footballing world similarly came to a standstill.
Pope Francis was known for his deep love of the sport, especially football. An avid supporter of San Lorenzo in his native Argentina, he often spoke of the values sport could instill—solidarity, teamwork, and community. His connection to football extended beyond fandom; it was a metaphor for unity and inclusion that he carried into his teachings and his outreach.
His passing leaves not just a spiritual void but an emotional one within the football world. From stadiums in Rome to grassroots pitches across the country, players and fans alike are pausing not just for grief, but for gratitude.
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