Lionel Messi Pays Tribute to Pope Francis; San Lorenzo de Almagro Plans to Name the Stadium After Him

Argentina is grieving the loss of its most beloved spiritual leader, Pope Francis, with tributes flooding in from around the world, including one from global football superstar Lionel Messi.

After the death of the first Latin American pope, Messi turned to Instagram to post a heartwarming tribute to his fellow Argentine.

Messi Thanks Pope Francis for Making the World a Better Place

Soccer Legend Pays Tribute to Pope Francis, San Lorenzo Plans

In a sad Instagram story, Messi mourned the loss of Pope Francis. "RIP Pope Francis," he posted, along with an emotional caption that said, "Thank you for making the world a better place. We will miss you."

The post was accompanied by a picture of the soccer icon standing next to the deceased pontiff, signifying the high regard Messi had for him.

The Argentine football fanbase reacted quickly, with thank-you messages and expressions of sadness ringing across social media.

San Lorenzo de Almagro's Heartfelt Obituary

San Lorenzo de Almagro, the pontiff's favorite football team, paid homage to him on their official site with a page-long tribute. A smiling picture of the pontiff stood below the blue-and-red crest of the club, with the departing words: "Goodbye forever, Holy Father!"

In their formal statement via France24, the team characterized Pope Francis as "a thoughtful, open-minded, cultured man totally devoted to his beliefs and worldview."

Born Jorge Bergoglio, Pope Francis was a San Lorenzo de Almagro follower since childhood and a card-carrying active member all his life.

The club also recalled how he, when he was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, celebrated mass in the team's chapel annually to commemorate the club's foundation. His love for the team was so real that San Lorenzo de Almagro jerseys were openly showcased at the Vatican during his reign.

New Stadium to Be Named After Pope Francis

In a symbolic gesture, San Lorenzo de Almagro announced that work on a new stadium dedicated to Pope Francis will start this year. The move was made after a 2023 Vatican visit by a club delegation headed by President Marcelo Moretti.

"Moved, the Holy Father accepted without hesitation," the club noted. "Construction is to begin this year."

Pope Francis' Uniquely Different Perspective on Football Heroes

Though Pope Francis shared a close affinity with Argentina's football culture, he tended to surprise fans by taking a neutral position when asked to name the greatest player of all time. When he was asked to select between Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, the pontiff instead selected Brazilian legend Pele.

The pope declared that Pele was a "man of heart," praising his humility and character.

Pope Francis will always be remembered not just as a religious leader but also as a fervent football supporter whose passion for San Lorenzo de Almagro transcended the divide between religion and sport.

His humility, promotion of peace, and commitment to social justice made him a source of hope beyond borders.