Juventus, Lazio & Fiorentina see Serie A fixtures postponed following death of Pope Francis aged 88

It was announced on April 21 that the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State had passed away at the age of 88. With millions across Italy and around the world in mourning, the decision has been taken to shut down all sporting activity as a sign of respect to the Pontiff.

FIGC president Gabriel Gravina said: “Italian football shares with emotion the grief of hundreds of millions of people for the painful passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. A great example of Christian charity and dignity in suffering, he always showed himself attentive to the world of sport and to football in particular, which he was passionate about.

“His human closeness, as well as spiritual, to the sick, the poor and the persecuted across the planet was his deepest testimony, a beacon that will illuminate generations to come. He will remain forever in our hearts as faithful and lovers of the game of football.”

All fixtures scheduled for Easter Monday have been cancelled. In the top tier of Italian football, Juventus were due to face Parma, Lazio were heading to Genoa, Torino were due to host Udinese and Cagliari were set to take on Fiorentina. Matches in Serie B and C have also been postponed, along with amateur games.

A similar approach was taken in 2005 following the death of Pope John Paul II. No dates have been set as yet for the rearranged fixtures. The majority of teams in Serie A have five games left to take in this season.