Italy: Authorities Postpone All Matches Following the Death of Pope Francis

As a sign of respect for the passing of Pope Francis, Italian authorities have postponed all football matches scheduled for Monday, April 21, 2025, across the country.

The Vatican announced on Monday, April 21, 2025, the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 in his residence at Casa Santa Marta. The head of the Roman Catholic Church succumbed to complications from bilateral pneumonia, which had led to his hospitalization in February.

Despite returning to the Vatican after several weeks in the hospital, his health remained fragile. On Easter Sunday, he made one final public appearance—visibly weakened—as he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

In tribute to the late Holy Father, Italian authorities have decided to postpone all matches originally scheduled for Monday. In Serie A, this includes the fixtures Torino vs. Udinese, Cagliari vs. Fiorentina, Genoa vs. Lazio, and Parma vs. Juventus. New dates will be announced in due course.

It is worth noting that Pope Francis was an avid football fan—a sport he was particularly passionate about.