All football matches scheduled across Italy have been suspended following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
The Vatican officially confirmed the death of the Argentine-born pontiff earlier today, marking the end of a 12-year papacy by the first Latin American to lead the Catholic Church.
As a gesture of respect, both senior men’s Serie A fixtures and Under-20 Primavera 1 games were immediately postponed.
The Italian top-flight league announced the decision shortly after the Pope’s passing was made public.
“In light of the Holy Father’s death, the Lega Nazionale Professionisti Serie A informs that today’s Serie A Enilive and Primavera 1 Championship matches are postponed to a date yet to be determined,” the league said in an official statement.
Four Serie A matches were originally lined up for Easter Monday. The day was set to begin with Torino hosting Udinese at 11:30am BST, followed by Cagliari vs Fiorentina at 2:00pm, Genoa vs Lazio at 5:00pm, and Parma vs Juventus at 7:45pm.
Three Primavera 1 encounters have also been affected: Roma U20s vs Udinese U20s, Monza U20s vs Sassuolo U20s, and Sampdoria U20s vs Torino U20s. The league has yet to confirm new dates for these fixtures.
The Pope’s death was formally announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, who delivered the news from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, the Pope’s residence.
“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father,” Cardinal Farrell said.
“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.
“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,” he added, “we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Triune.”
Pope Francis had long battled chronic lung complications, including the removal of part of one lung in his youth.
On February 14, he was admitted to the Gemelli hospital due to a severe respiratory issue, which later developed into double pneumonia. He remained hospitalized for 38 days—the longest stay of his papacy.
Despite his declining health, he made a final public appearance on Easter Sunday, just a day before his passing, to bless a crowd gathered at St. Peter’s Square.