Tributes continue to flock in from different corners of the globe to the Vatican following the death of Pope Francis.
The 266th Pope died aged 88 on Monday and the sporting world was touched by 12 years of leadership of the Catholic Church. Perhaps, more than ever before, Pope Francis stood out in the sports sphere, more than his predecessors – especially in football circles.
From supporting his childhood club San Lorenzo from his motherland Argentina. And celebrations of the country’s Fifa World Cup title in Qatar 2022 never skipped him.
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Pope Francis,” remarked Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
“I was privileged enough to spend some time with him on a couple of occasions, and he always shared his enthusiasm for football and stressed the important role our sport plays in society, in particular in relation to educating and safeguarding children all around the world,” he said.
