Italy cancels football matches over the death of Pope Francis

Italy has canceled all football matches of the domestic championship due to the passing of Pope Francis. This was announced on the official website of the tournament.

The following matches scheduled for April 21 have thus been canceled:

• Torino vs. Udinese,
• Cagliari vs. Fiorentina,
• Genoa vs. Lazio,
• and Parma vs. Juventus.
• On April 21, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 89 at his residence, Casa Santa Marta, in the Vatican. His death was officially confirmed by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life.

Francis was elected pope in 2013 following the resignation of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, who stepped down due to health issues. Francis became the first Latin American in history to lead the Roman Catholic Church. He was a longtime supporter of the Argentine football club San Lorenzo.