Pilgrims flock to pay tribute to pope lying in state

Tributes to the Argentine pontiff, a lifelong lover of the beautiful game, who died on Monday at the age of 88, have been peppered with football metaphors in his homeland.

Pope Francis’s funeral will be held on Saturday, the Vatican announced, as world leaders from US President Donald Trump to Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky said they would attend to honour the Catholic leader.

Pope Francis died yesterday, aged 88, prompting mourning across the world for the energetic reformer who inspired devotion from Catholics but riled traditionalists during a 12-year papacy.

Football is often compared to a religion for its fans, and Francis held numerous giant masses in football stadiums during trips abroad.

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid were also among a slew of top-flight clubs joining La Liga in expressing their condolences for Francis.

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

Following are reactions to death o Pope Francis

Here are some facts about Pope Francis, who has died at the age of 88

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After Benedict died in 2022, Francis became the first sitting pope in modern history to lead a papal funeral.

He was diagnosed this week with double pneumonia

Suu Kyi, 78, is serving a 27-year prison sentence on charges ranging from corruption to not respecting Covid pandemic restrictions.

There are an estimated 170 million migrant workers around the world -- about five percent of the global workforce -- according to the International Labour Organization.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao swept the streets with locals to help clean up the city before the pontiff's arrival.

The 87-year-old pontiff led an estimated 35,000 people in prayer from Port Moresby's main stadium, the latest stop on this gruelling 12-day trip across the Asia-Pacific.

Pope Francis on Monday joined the chorus of congratulations for Jannik Sinner, the first Italian to win a tennis Grand Slam trophy in 48 years.

Elon Musk on Friday night broke his nine-day silence on Twitter, the social media platform he is trying to buy for $44 billion, posting a picture of him meeting Pope Francis on Thursday.

Pope Francis urges the United States and Iran to avoid escalation and pursue “dialogue and self-restraint” to avert a wider conflict in the Middle East.

Pope Francis calls for dialogue and restraint two days after the killing of a top Iranian military commander by the United States.