Overview

• Pope Francis, a lifelong fan and honorary member of San Lorenzo, passed away on April 21, 2025, prompting tributes from across the football and religious worlds.
• Lionel Messi mourned the late pontiff on Instagram, thanking him for making the world a better place and sharing a personal photo of the two together.
• San Lorenzo updated its homepage with a farewell message, describing Pope Francis as a passionate supporter and a man of deep conviction and culture.
• The club confirmed plans to commence construction this year on a stadium named in his honor, an idea Pope Francis personally approved during a meeting with club officials in 2024.
• Pope Francis’s enduring connection to San Lorenzo included celebrating mass in the club’s chapel as archbishop and displaying its jerseys at the Vatican after becoming pope.