Football matches called off in Italy after Pope Francis’ death at 88 as pontiff’s passing plunges Catholics into mourning

All football matches in Italy have been postponed as a mark of respect following the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday morning.

The Vatican confirmed earlier today that the first-ever Latin American pontiff died at the age of 88.

In a tribute to the Bishop of Rome, all senior men’s and Under-20 top-flight fixtures have been called off.

In a statement released shortly following the Pope’s death, Serie A put out: ‘Following the passing of the Holy Father, the Lega Nazionale Professionisti Serie A announces that the matches scheduled for today of the Serie A Enilive and Primavera 1 Championships are postponed to a date to be determined.’

There were to be four Serie A fixtures across Easter Monday, starting with Torino versus Udinese (11.30am, BST). 

Following that encounter was due to be Cagliari versus Fiorentina (2pm), Genoa versus Lazio (5pm) and Parma versus Juventus (7.45pm), concluding the action.

In Primavera 1, the three now-postponed matches were Roma U20s versus Udinese U20s (11am), Monza U20s versus Sassuolo U20s, and Sampdoria U20s versus Torino U20s.

It is currently unclear when those aforementioned games will be rearranged, as per Serie A’s statement.

Pope Francis’ death was read out by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lived.

‘At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,’ he said.

‘He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalised.

‘With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Tribune.’

Pope Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli hospital on February 14 for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia.

He spent 38 days there, the longest hospital stay of his 12-year papacy.

However, he emerged on Easter Sunday, a day before his death, to bless thousands of people in St Peter’s Square.