FIFA president Gianni Infantino has paid tribute to Pope Francis who died Monday morning in Rome.
Pope Francis who died at 88 after surviving life threatening illness between February and March 2025 was an avid football fan.
“I was privileged enough to spend some time with him on a couple of occasions, and he always shared his enthusiasm for football and stressed the important role our sport plays in society,” Infantino said on Instagram.
“All the prayers of the whole football world are with him.”
Also legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluca Buffon wrote: “Francesco was a special Pope, one who illuminated time as only the greatest can.
“He was a spiritual and moral reference point, who always spoke to the heart of the world with simplicity, humanity and strength.
“He showed us the way with great courage and shook our souls. I will carry his example in my heart forever.”
Meanwhile Italy’s top-flight soccer league Serie A has postponed all of Monday’s fixtures the four games will now be played on Wednesday.
“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 league said in a statement.
The Argentina football federation announced that all of Monday’s matches at all levels would be postponed “as a sign of mourning.”
