His Holiness Pope Francis, a lifelong supporter of football and devoted fan of Argentine club San Lorenzo, has died at the age of 88.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Flores, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, at Saint Martha House in Vatican City.
Pope Francis’ love for the game became widely known shortly after his election as pope in 2013, when San Lorenzo tweeted a photo of him holding up the club’s crest.
A card-carrying member of the club—ID No. 88,235—Francis remained a passionate follower of “the Saints,” as the club is affectionately known.
Beyond his personal allegiance, Pope Francis was known for his warm reception of football teams and figures from across the world.
During his papacy, he hosted players and officials from clubs and national teams including Scotland’s Celtic FC, the Italian national team, and his native Argentina.
Among the many figures he met were global football icons such as Lionel Messi, Javier Zanetti, the late Diego Maradona, and Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.
These encounters often highlighted the pontiff’s belief in the unifying power of sport and its potential to promote peace and solidarity.
