ALL football matches in Italy have been postponed after the passing of Pope Francis.
A Serie A statement confirmed the top flight would postpone all games on Easter Monday.
As confirmed by the Vatican on Monday morning, the late Pope passed away at the age of 88.
Four top flight games in Italy were scheduled to commence today, starting with Torino v Udinese at 11:30 UK time.
A league statement released shortly after the announcement said: “Following the passing of His Holiness, Lega Nazionale Professionisti Serie A can confirm that today’s league games in Serie A and Primavera 1 have been postponed.
“The date of the rearranged fixtures will be announced in due course.”
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The other top flight games affected by the decision today were Cagliari v Fiorentina, Genoa v Lazio and Parma v Juventus.
There were also three games in the Primavera 1 – Italy’s development league – which were also hit by the postponements.
It is currently unclear when the games will be rearranged.
The late Pope had suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed when he was younger.
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He was admitted to hospital on February 14 for a respiratory issue that developed into double pneumonia.
His Holiness had been in hospital for 38 days. The day before his death, he had emerged on Easter Sunday to bless thousands of people in St Peter’s Square in a Popemobile tour.
The Vatican statement on Pope Francis’ death said: “At 7:35 this morning (local time), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.
“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
