The death of Pope Francis, which occurred on Monday at the age of 88 at Casa Santa Marta, provoked a moving reaction throughout the sports world. Various figures and organizations in soccer and other sports bid farewell to the pontiff with messages that recalled not only his spiritual legacy, but also his deep passion for soccer and his message of peace.
From Lionel Messi and Paulo Dybala, to clubs such as San Lorenzo, and organizations such as FIFA, UEFA, Conmebol and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), all highlighted Pope Francis’ closeness to sport as a tool for social encounter and transformation.
Pope “crow” at heart
Pope Francis’ strongest bond with soccer has always been his love for San Lorenzo de Almagro, a club of which he was member number 88235 and a follower since childhood.
The azulgrana club expressed in networks: “Cuervo as a boy and as a man… also as a Pope”, highlighting the fidelity he maintained even from the Vatican.
The Argentine Football Association(AFA) suspended Monday’s matches and published a message describing him as “not only a spiritual, but also a soccer reference”.
Recalling that his club won the Copa Libertadores in 2014, a year after he assumed the papacy.
International reactions
FIFA president Gianni Infantino expressed his sadness and praised Pope Francis’ enthusiasm for soccer, which he called “the most beautiful sport in the world,” in the pontiff’s own words.
For Infantino, the pope saw soccer as “a unifying force on a global scale.”
The death of Pope Francis sparked a moving reaction across the sporting world
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UEFA head Aleksander Ceferin called him “a beacon of hope for all humanity”, highlighting his defense of the poor and vulnerable, as well as his constant cry for peace.
From Conmebol, Alejandro Domínguez recalled the humility of Pope Francis and his tireless message of faith and reconciliation, which will remain engraved in the history of sport and humanity.
More tributes
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Spanish tennis player Rafa Nadal, who has been retired since 2024, expressed:
“My most sincere condolences for the passing of Pope Francis. May he rest in peace”.
Argentine Formula 1 driver Franco Colapinto also shared his gratitude:
“He inspired us to be better people”.
And from the Olympic world, Thomas Bach, outgoing IOC president, highlighted his support for the Olympic Movement and refugee causes.
He affirmed that with Pope Francis goes “a great friend of sport as a tool for peace”.
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