Italian football has come to a standstill following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on April 21. As a mark of respect, Serie A fixtures involving Juventus, Lazio, and other clubs have been postponed, along with games across Serie B, Serie C, and amateur leagues.
FIGC President Gabriele Gravina confirmed the nationwide sporting shutdown, saying:
“Italian football shares with emotion the grief of hundreds of millions… Pope Francis was a great example of Christian charity and dignity in suffering, and a passionate admirer of the game.”
Following the passing of His Holiness, Lega Nazionale Professionisti Serie A can confirm that today's league games in Serie A and Primavera 1 have been postponed. The date of the rearranged fixtures will be announced in due course.
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) April 21, 2025
A Day of Mourning
All matches originally scheduled for Easter Monday have been canceled:
- Juventus vs Parma
- Lazio vs Genoa
- Torino vs Udinese
- Cagliari vs Fiorentina
No new dates have been announced yet, but this mirrors the decision taken in 2005 after Pope John Paul II’s passing.
The Football-Loving Pontiff
Pope Francis, known for his humility and compassion, was also a well-known football enthusiast, especially supportive of the game’s power to unite people. His deep connection to the sport made the announcement even more emotional for many fans and players alike.
Serie A now faces a packed end-of-season schedule, with five rounds of matches left. But for now, football pauses to honour a global spiritual leader whose legacy stretches far beyond the Vatican.
