Lionel Messi has released a touching statement following the death of Pope Francis.
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday (April 21), aged 88, at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta building.
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected to lead the Catholic Church in March 2013 after Pope Benedict XVI stood down.
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His Eminence, Cardinal Farrell, announced the death of Pope Francis.
"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis," he said.
"He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised."
Farrell added: "With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”
Pope Francis' death saw Monday's four scheduled Serie A matches postponed.
Torino vs. Udinese, Cagliari vs. Fiorentina, Genoa vs. Lazio and Parma vs. Juventus had been due to take on Easter Monday, which is a national holiday in Italy.
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The matches will instead be played on Wednesday.
Messi has since reacted to the passing of Pope Francis, who was a known football fan and supported Argentine side San Lorenzo since he was a child.
On social media, he posted a picture of himself with Pope Francis, accompanied with the caption: "A different Pope, close, Argentinean..."
Messi added: "RIP Pope Francis. Thank you for making the world a better place. We will miss you."
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Pope Francis, who was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was a supporter of Messi and the pair met in 2013 at the Vatican, during a private audience with the Pope.
San Lorenzo also paid tribute to Pope Francis.
On X, the Argentine club wrote: "He was never just one of us, but always one of us. Cuervo as a child and as a man... Cuervo as a priest and Cardinal... Cuervo as Pope too..."
Topics: Lionel Messi, Football
Nasir Jabbar