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Soccer | Apr 21

Pope Francis, Soccer’s Holiest Fan, Has Died

Just Like His Faith, Pope Francis’ Love for Soccer Never Wavered

Bryan Bejarano Bryan Bejarano
- 4 minutes read
Pope Francis, Soccer’s Holiest Fan, Has Died
Pope Francis | Stefano RELLANDINI / POOL / AFP

 A True Argentinian

Many say that football is the most beautiful game in the world. I think so too. – Pope Francis

The Pope died, and the world is mourning the loss of Francis—a spiritual leader, a man of profound compassion, and, quietly but passionately, one of soccer’s most devoted fans.

A Life Laced with Soccer

Long before the robes and the Vatican, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was just another boy in Buenos Aires, kicking around a makeshift ball stitched together from cloth scraps. He wasn’t the flashiest player on the pitch—he even admitted he wasn’t very good—but standing in goal taught him something deeper: how to stay alert, to react fast, and to face danger head-on.

Even after stepping into the most sacred role in the Catholic Church, he never left the game behind. His beloved club, San Lorenzo, always had a place in his heart. Vatican insiders say one of the Swiss Guards would leave scores and standings on the Pope’s desk, just so he could keep up. Even popes need the weekend’s results.

But it wasn’t just a hobby. For Francis, soccer was more than 90 minutes and a final whistle. It was a metaphor for life. A way to connect with people. A way to talk about teamwork, hope, unity, and yes—faith.

“Many say that football is the most beautiful game in the world. I think so too,” he said in 2019.

More Pope Francis News

Meeting Legends

Popes usually shake hands with presidents and prime ministers. Francis did that too, of course. But ask anyone close to him—his eyes lit up a little brighter when a soccer player came to visit.

Diego Maradona. Lionel Messi. Gianluigi Buffon. Even Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They all made their way to Vatican City at one point or another.

His encounter with Maradona stood out the most. The two Argentinians met a few years back, and Francis even dedicated a full chapter to him in his 2024 autobiography. He couldn’t help but joke about the infamous “Hand of God” goal that knocked England out of the 1986 World Cup.

“So, which is the guilty hand?” the Pope asked Maradona, laughing.

And of course, the eternal question: who was the greatest? His answer caught many off guard.

Maradona? A genius on the pitch, yes, but in Francis’ words, he “failed as a man”— a nod to the chaos and addictions that marked Diego’s life. Messi? Pure class, a gentleman through and through. But the Pope gave his heart to Pelé—not just for his talent, but for his soul.

What Happens When the Pope Dies

The Vatican is now preparing to say goodbye to one of the most beloved popes in modern history. A man who brought humility to power. Who connected with the world not only through sermons, but through stories, jokes, and yes, through soccer.

The crowds will gather. Tributes will pour in. And soon, the world will turn its eyes to Rome, waiting to see who will be the next Pope.

But for now, we remember Pope Francis not just as a leader of faith, but as a man who never forgot the simple joy of a ball at his feet.

 

Think you know who’s next? Place your bet on the next pope!

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