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Pope Francis passed away on Monday but he leaves behind a great legacy of loving the beautiful game as displayed by these heartwarming moments.
The world is mourning the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88, following ill health in recent months.
The head of the Catholic church breathed his last on Easter Monday with the Vatican making the announcement and the Italian Serie A reacted by cancelling all matches slated later in the day.
It was in tribute to a man who loved football and brushed shoulders with the game’s biggest names throughout his 12 years at the Vatican.
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Coming from Argentina, where football is like a religion, Pope Francis supported his local club San Lorenzo and never shied away from showing his affection for the team, even when he was at the Vatican.
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17:45 - 21.04.2025
Pope Francis: When Kenyan Marathoner Mary Keitany Shared a Family Memory Before Hanging Up Her Shoes
Mary Keitany recalls her unforgettable 2019 meeting with Pope Francis in Rome, following news of his death on April 21, 2025.
So, how did Pope Francis show his love for football during his 12-year reign?
Pope Francis Meets Diego Maradona
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It was only fitting that some of those Pope Francis met were the biggest football names from Argentina and they do not come bigger than Diego Maradona, the 1986 World Cup hero for his country.
Pope Francis met Maradona at the Vatican in 2014, six years before the iconic footballer died in unclear circumstances, and following his demise aged 60, the Holy Father described him as the “poet of soccer.”
Lionel Messi Visits the Pope
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Maradona’s heir apparent Lionel Messi was another big-name footballer who brushed shoulders with the Pope in 2013, a year before leading Argentina to the World Cup final in Brazil before helping the country lift it eight years later in Qatar.
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17:10 - 21.04.2025
Eliud Kipchoge: How Catholic Belief and Late Pope Francis Shaped the Greatest Marathoner of All Time
Eliud Kipchoge’s historic sub-two-hour marathon was deeply rooted in his Catholic faith and spiritual connection to Pope Francis.
The Pope exchanged gifts with Messi, whom he met alongside legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Pep Guardiola Shares a Moment With the Pope
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In 2014, while he was working at Bayern Munich, Pep Guardiola had the privilege of meeting the Pope alongside some of his then players such as Thomas Mueller, Philipp Lahm and the Germany players would then visit him two years later in 2016.
Super Mario and Italian Legends Meet Pope Francis
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While he lived in Italy during his time at the Vatican, a host of Italian players paid Pope Francis a visit, among them Mario Balotelli, Buffon and Andrea Pirlo, who had a moment with him in 2013, while legendary striker Alessandro Del Piero met him the following year.
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18:10 - 21.04.2025
Remembering Letsile Tebogo's Special Moment with the Late Pope Francis
This article reflects on the lasting impact of the late Pope Francis on Letsile Tebogo's life after a meeting they had in Rome in 2024.
Ronaldinho’s turn to see Pope Francis
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In his latter years, Pope Francis met the likes of Brazil superstar Ronaldinho, who visited him in 2022, ahead of a charity match, accompanied by former team-mate Dani Alves.
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