- The Vatican announced the death of Pope Francis at 88 years of Easter Monday
- From Argentina, he was a fan of football and exchanged gifts with Messi in 2013
- Listen now: everything is launched! Chris Sutton explains why Trent Alexander-Arnold could better stay in Liverpool
Lionel Messi had paid tribute to Pope Francis after his death at the age of 88 on Monday.
Confirmed by the Vatican, the very first Latin American pontift died at the age of 88 – all the football matches scheduled for Monday postponed as a brand of respect.
Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Pope was a supporter of his local team, San Lorenzo, who plays in the upper division of the country.
He was also a supporter of Messi, who is widely considered to be one of the best players of all time and Argentina too. The duo met in 2013 in the Vatican, during a private audience with the Pope.
“A distinguished Argentinian pope,” published the Star of Argentina on Instagram alongside a photo of the two together. ‘Rip Pope François
“Thank you for making the world a better place: you will miss you.
San Lorenzo also paid an emotional tribute to the Pope, publishing on X: “He was never one of us, but always one of us. Cuervo when he was a child and as a man … Cuervo as a priest and cardinal … Cuevvo as Pope too …
“ He always transmitted his passion for Ciclon: when he went to Viejo Gasómetro to see the team ’46, when he confirmed Angelito Correa in the Deportiva de Ciudad chapel, when he received visitors from Barça to the Vatican, always with total happiness … Member No. 88235.
“From Jorge Mario Bergoglio to Francis, there was something that has never changed: his love for the cyclone.
“Wrapped in deep sadness, from #sanlorenzo today, we tell Francis: goodbye, thank you and farewell!” We will be together for eternity!
Legendary football coach Jose Mourinho also offered a touching tribute to the pope, going to Instagram to share a photo of Francis with a message.
He wrote: “To be great, especially you need to know how to be small. Humility is the foundation of real size.
“Pope Francisco (Emoji du Coeur) is a light in the night. Large dad ‘.
After the announcement of the death of Pope Francis, Bells entered church towers through Rome. His death was read by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Vatican Camerlengo, from the Chapel of Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lived.
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“At 7:35 am this morning, the bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the father’s home. All his life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and his Church, “he said.
“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, in particular for the poorest and most marginalized.
“With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we congratulate the soul of Pope Francis in the infinite and merciful love of God, one and tribune.
