JAKARTA - The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) mourned the death of Pope Francis on Monday, April 21, 2025.
The FIGC, with the approval of all components, suspended all official competitions scheduled for the day, from Serie A to amateur levels.
Furthermore, the FIGC then understood how Pope Francis was always close to football.
Named full Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis was born on December 17, 1936 in Argentina.
Pope Francis had a personal audience with the Italian National Team in 2019, speaking of his love for football.
Not only that, Pope Francis gave a 'lain de trap (lain ball)' which also inspired several initiatives linking football, FIGB, and the Catholic Church.
"Even with a lump of cloth, you can do a miracle," Pope Francis said at the time.
The most recent, in chronological order, is the 'Giubileo-Pelota de Trapo' project, with the celebration of the Yubileum Sport which plans to peak on June 14 and 15, 2025 with a special event at St. Peter's Square led by His Majesty.
For information, Giubileo-Pelota de Trapo combines sports, education, and spirituality, which will involve about 80 young coaches and more than 500 boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 14, from 30 parishes and football schools in the city.
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The program includes training courses aimed at young football coaches from Rome's diocese parishes, which are integrated with education courses for grassroots instructors.
The goal is to develop technical and pedagogical skills in the context of sports, promoting football as a tool for personal and community growth.
At the same time, children involved will participate in sports and social activities.
"Even with a lump of perca cloth, you can do a miracle. Behind the rolling ball, there is almost always a boy with dreams and aspirations, body and soul," Pope Francis said when opening the program earlier this year.
However, the program's top plan must change after Pope Francis dies.
The FIGC is now focusing on mourning and asking all football matches to be silenced in the next week.
"Italia football also feels the sadness of hundreds of millions of people over the death of Pope Francis."
"As a great example of Christian love and dignity in suffering, he has always shown his attention to the world of sports and especially football, which he really likes."
"His closeness as a human, as well as his spiritual closeness, to the sick, the poor, and the persecuted throughout the planet are his deepest testimony, a beacon that will illuminate future generations."
"He will remain in our hearts forever as a loyal person and lover of football games," said FIGC President Gabriele Gravina, on the federation's official website.
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