Argentina’s football community is mourning the loss of Pope Francis, the nation’s beloved “Captain,” who passed away on Monday at 88. Known for his lifelong passion for football and unwavering support for Buenos Aires’ San Lorenzo club, the Argentine pontiff is being celebrated with heartfelt tributes, including a commemorative jersey and a stadium named in his honor.
The Argentine Football Federation (AFA) hailed Pope Francis as a “generational talent” who “never hogged the ball” and exemplified courage as the first Latin American and southern hemisphere pope. In a statement, the AFA described him as a team player who showed the world the strength of an Argentine leader. All matches were postponed on Monday, with a minute’s silence planned at games throughout the week.
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San Lorenzo, where Jorge Bergoglio was a devoted fan, has opened its chapel until 9 p.m. nightly for fans to pay respects at an altar adorned with his portrait. The club will hold a memorial mass on Wednesday, and players will wear a special Francis commemorative jersey during Saturday’s match against Rosario Central. A viral image of the pope’s 2008 San Lorenzo membership card, bearing the number 88235, struck a chord with fans, eerily matching his time of death in Argentina—2:35—at age 88.
Lionel Messi led tributes, thanking the pontiff for “making the world a better place.” San Lorenzo’s president, Marcelo Moretti, announced that the club’s planned 55,000-seat stadium will be named after Pope Francis, a decision the pope approved during a 2024 Vatican visit. Buenos Aires’ cathedral and a church in Francis’ childhood neighborhood of Flores are adorned with jerseys, scarves, and bunting as fans honor their “crow,” a nod to the club’s priest-founded heritage.
Key Points from Argentina’s Football Tributes to Pope Francis
- Pope Francis’ Passing: The Argentine pontiff, a lifelong San Lorenzo fan, died on Monday at age 88, prompting widespread tributes in Argentina’s football community.
- Football Metaphors: The Argentine Football Federation (AFA) praised him as a “generational talent” and “Captain” who embodied teamwork and courage.
- AFA Mourning Actions: All matches were postponed on Monday, with a minute’s silence planned at games for the rest of the week.
- San Lorenzo Tributes: The club opened its chapel for fans to pay respects, will hold a memorial mass on Wednesday, and players will wear a commemorative Francis jersey on Saturday.
- Viral Membership Card: Pope Francis’ 2008 San Lorenzo membership card (number 88235) went viral, coinciding with his time of death (2:35) and age (88).
- Stadium Naming: San Lorenzo’s planned 55,000-seat stadium will be named after Pope Francis, a decision he approved in 2024.
- Public Tributes: Buenos Aires’ cathedral and a church in Francis’ Flores neighborhood are decorated with football jerseys, scarves, and bunting in his honor.
- Messi’s Tribute: Football icon Lionel Messi thanked the pope for “making the world a better place.”
