Pilgrims flock to pay tribute to pope lying in state
Tributes to the Argentine pontiff, a lifelong lover of the beautiful game, who died on Monday at the age of 88, have been peppered with football metaphors in his homeland.
Pope Francis’s funeral will be held on Saturday, the Vatican announced, as world leaders from US President Donald Trump to Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky said they would attend to honour the Catholic leader.
Pope Francis died yesterday, aged 88, prompting mourning across the world for the energetic reformer who inspired devotion from Catholics but riled traditionalists during a 12-year papacy.
Football is often compared to a religion for its fans, and Francis held numerous giant masses in football stadiums during trips abroad.
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid were also among a slew of top-flight clubs joining La Liga in expressing their condolences for Francis.
The Italian football federation (FIGC) announced that all games across professional and amateur football on Monday would be rescheduled to a later date.
Following are reactions to death o Pope Francis
Here are some facts about Pope Francis, who has died at the age of 88
Pope Francis is a leader who leads by example and not only by words. Simplicity and concern for the poor are two distinctive marks of a good leader. Gandhiji is a clear example. Pope Francis too tries to lead a simple life.
Pope Francis called for respect for rights and justice in a keenly-watched address in Myanmar yesterday, but refrained from any mention of the Rohingya or the alleged ethnic cleansing that has driven huge numbers of the Muslim minority from the country.
Pope Francis urges the leaders of majority-Buddhist Myanmar to commit themselves to justice, human rights and respect for "each ethnic group and its identity", while avoiding a diplomatic backlash by not using the highly charged term "Rohingya" in his addresses to officials, including leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Pope Francis faces a diplomatic test as he began his visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh, countries that attracted global attention following the Rohingya refugee crisis stemming from atrocities committed by Myanmar's army since late August.
Pope Francis lands in Myanmar on a mission to dampen a powder keg of religious tension that many fear might only add sparks.
Pope Francis appreciates Bangladesh's inter-religious harmony and cultural diversity, which he will celebrate during his visit here next week, Catholic Church officials said yesterday.
Luxury sports car maker Lamborghini presents Pope Francis with a brand-new, special edition Huracan that is to be auctioned off with the proceeds donated to charity.
Ireland announced it will hold a referendum next year on whether to repeal its constitutional ban on abortion in almost all cases -- just a few weeks before Pope Francis visits.
Pope Francis has voiced concern over the persecution of Rohingyas in Myanmar.He had, on several occasions, slammed the violence inflicted on this minority community. We appreciate the Pope's unequivocal remarks on the matter which is in contrast with the somewhat muted response of the international community, by and large, so far.
Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church will visit Bangladesh in this November.
