Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) Calls for Postponements and Tributes Following Pope Francis’s Passing
The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) has announced a nationwide call to postpone all sporting events scheduled for Monday following the death of Pope Francis. The organization also urged for a minute’s silence to be observed across all events throughout the week, reflecting the profound impact the Pope had on the nation and the world.
In a statement, CONI expressed its condolences and invited national federations and event organizers to suspend competitions in honor of the Pope. The cycling event, Tour of the Alps, commenced as planned but took a moment to observe the requested minute’s silence, honoring the legacy of the beloved leader.
The announcement comes as four Serie A matches—Udinese vs. Torino, Fiorentina vs. Cagliari, Genoa vs. Lazio, and Juventus vs. Parma—were already postponed. These games will need to be rescheduled, creating potential scheduling conflicts with the upcoming Champions League semifinals as the season nears its conclusion.
Additionally, Serie A’s youth league matches have also been postponed, with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirming that all games across both professional and amateur levels will be rescheduled as a mark of respect.
The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88, prompting an outpouring of tributes from football clubs and figures across Italy. Napoli, one of Serie A’s giants, stated, “Pope Francis, a man who will be missed by all, not just Catholics, has passed away. He transmitted a sense of kindness, solidarity, and inclusion.”
Inter Milan, currently in a fierce title battle with Napoli, also paid tribute: “FC Internazionale Milano mourns the passing of Pope Francis, a man of faith, humility, and discourse, who touched the hearts of us all.”
Former Italy and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who met Pope Francis in a private audience in 2014, shared his thoughts: “He showed us the way with great courage and shook our souls. I will carry his example forever in my heart.”
