Pope's death prompts Coni to call for sporting postponements, minute's silence

The Italian National Olympic Committee (ConiI) called for all sporting events due to take place in Italy on Monday to be postponed following the death of Pope Francis and for "a minute's silence to be observed at events throughout the week".

"We invited national federations and all organisers of sporting events to suspend their competitions on Monday," read the CONI statement.

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. pic.twitter.com/jUIkbplVi2

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 21, 2025

Cycling race the Tour of the Alps, a key lead-up race to the Giro d'Italia, did get under way after observing a minute's silence.

Four Serie A matches scheduled to take place had already been postponed to a later date following the death of Pope Francis.

Udinese's game at Torino, Fiorentina's visit to Cagliari, Genoa's match against Lazio and Juventus' trip to Parma will be rescheduled to an unspecified date.

The games will have to fit into a congested finish to the season, potentially clashing with the Champions League semifinals.

With the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, we are losing a great friend and supporter of the Olympic Movement. His support for the peace and solidarity mission of the Olympic Games and the many refugee initiatives of the IOC has been unwavering. R.I.P. - IOC President Thomas… pic.twitter.com/NbAi59f7Cl

— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) April 21, 2025

Serie A also postponed matches in its youth league.

The Italian football federation (FIGC) announced that all games across professional and amateur football on Monday would be rescheduled to a later date.

The FIGC hailed the Pope as "an example of Christian charity and dignity in suffering, always close to the world of football".

The Vatican said Pope Francis, a keen football fan, died aged 88 on Monday, with tributes flooding in from clubs across Italy.

"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," Serie A giants Napoli said in a statement.

Champions League semifinalists Inter Milan, who are engaged in a Serie A title battle with Napoli, also issued a statement.

"FC Internazionale Milano mourns the passing of Pope Francis, a man of faith, humility and discourse, who touched the hearts of us all," Inter said.

Former Italy and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who had a private audience with Pope Francis in 2014, said: "He showed us the way with great courage and shook our souls, I will carry his example forever in my heart."