Serie A has announced the rescheduling of all Saturday matches to accommodate the funeral of Pope Francis, marking a rare intersection of faith and football in the heart of Italy.
The Italian league confirmed that three top-flight fixtures set for Saturday have been moved out of respect for the late Pontiff, whose funeral will take place at St Peter’s Square. Among the affected matches is Inter Milan’s high-stakes clash with Roma, now scheduled for Sunday at 15:00 local time at the San Siro.
Initial speculation hinted at a possible exception for Inter, with their Champions League semifinal against Barcelona looming midweek. However, the league opted for uniformity, placing reverence above competitive convenience. Lazio’s home tie with Parma, originally set for Saturday in Rome, has been moved to Monday night, while Como vs Genoa will now be played Sunday at 12:30 local time.
Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church and a globally revered figure, passed away on Monday aged 88. His funeral is expected to draw tens of thousands, prompting Italy’s National Olympic Committee (CONI) to recommend a full suspension of sporting events across the country on Saturday.
Serie A’s decision reflects the deep cultural ties between football and Italian life, where the game often pauses in moments of national mourning. While clubs like Inter might see their rhythm briefly disrupted, few will argue against paying tribute to a figure whose impact transcended religion and borders.
