All Serie A matches for the upcoming Saturday have been cancelled. This was announced by Italian Minister Nello Musumeci. The reason for this is that the funeral of Pope Francis will take place on that day. New dates will be sought for the matches.
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This Saturday’s Serie A schedule has been significantly affected by the passing of Pope Francis. Originally, three exciting Serie A matches were set to take place on April 26.
The Italian football day was due to begin with Como hosting Genoa at 15:00, followed by a high-stakes match at 18:00 between Serie A leaders Internazionale and AS Roma, two clubs that have been in the thick of the title race this season. The action was meant to conclude with a 20:45 encounter between Lazio and Parma, where Lazio, currently battling for a top-four finish, was expected to take on a Parma side struggling near the bottom of the league.
However, all of these matches have been cancelled following the announcement of Pope Francis' death on Easter Monday. As a mark of respect for the mourning period, no football matches will take place in Italy on Saturday. The decision has led to widespread disappointment among fans, players, and teams alike, as many were eagerly anticipating these crucial fixtures. The Serie A governing body confirmed that new dates will be sought for these games, with further communication expected in the coming days.
Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, which has had a profound impact on Italy and the global Catholic community. His death has triggered a series of national observances, with Saturday’s cancelled football matches forming part of the larger pause in activity across the country. The funeral, set for later this week, will be one of the most significant events in Italy this year, drawing attention from around the world. The cancellation of these football matches, along with many other activities, is a direct consequence of the national mourning period.
Pope Francis, known for his progressive views on social issues, was immensely popular both in Italy and globally. His passing has sparked an outpouring of grief from millions of supporters, with tributes flooding in from political leaders, religious figures, and fans worldwide. In Italy, many areas are expected to be in a state of mourning, with public events and sporting fixtures being postponed to respect this solemn time.
This is not the first time that Serie A has had to adjust its schedule due to extraordinary circumstances. Previous occasions of national mourning or major events have led to similar changes in the football calendar. However, the impact of Pope Francis' death has been particularly significant, not only because of his prominence as a religious leader but also due to the timing, which coincides with the final stretch of the Serie A season.
Earlier this week, a number of matches had already been affected by the pope’s passing. On Easter Monday, several Serie A games were cancelled, including the much-anticipated Torino vs. Udinese clash, which was supposed to start the national holiday at 12:30. Alongside that, matches such as Cagliari vs. Fiorentina, Genoa vs. Lazio, and Parma vs. Juventus were also scheduled but had to be called off as part of the mourning period. These matches are now expected to be rescheduled for Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
The rearranged fixtures will likely be of critical importance as the season approaches its conclusion, with teams like Internazionale and AS Roma fighting for top spots, while Lazio and Parma are looking to secure their places in European competition. The rescheduled dates will provide fans with the chance to catch these key matches once the national mourning period has ended.
For now, the footballing world, particularly in Italy, will focus on the final preparations for the Pope's funeral, where dignitaries and leaders from across the globe will gather to pay their respects. It is a time for reflection and remembrance, and Italy will be focused on honoring the memory of Pope Francis, who was considered a beacon of hope and unity for many people, both within Italy and around the world. Football fans will have to wait until the mourning period concludes to get back to their regular sporting routines.
Updated: 03:13, 22 Apr 2025
