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 brings the message of reconciliation to some of the most contentious conflicts and trouble spots in the world. It is a difficult path he has chosen. On the surface, he has advocated for justice, peace and mercy from those who hold power.
World leaders on Friday adopted the most sweeping agenda ever of global goals to combat poverty, inequality and climate change, described by the United Nations secretary-general as "a to-do list for people and planet."
Pope Francis begins a closely watched visit to the United Nations, where he will deliver a wide-ranging speech at the start of a full day in the Big Apple ending with a mass at Madison Square Garden.
Pope Francis tells the US Congress that the US must see migrants as "persons" and not as "numbers".
Pope Francis begins his tour of the US, where he is expected to greet millions of American Catholics and address thorny issues like climate change and income inequality.
Pope Francis will call for swift action to protect the Earth and fight global warming, according to a leaked draft of the pontiff's encyclical.
Vatican says force may be necessary to stop attacks on Christians and other Middle East minorities by Islamic State (IS) if no political solution is found.
