For Pope Francis, there was religion – and soccer. And issues about corruption tainting the enjoyment and purity of sport.
However on the Argentine membership supported by Jorge Bergoglio since childhood, this week of prayers has turned to protests.
Scandal engulfed the membership hours after San Lorenzo president Marcelo Moretti issued tributes on Monday, recounting conversations with Francis about elevating the membership.
Pope’s funeral – all it’s essential to know
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San Lorenzo followers rejoice a mass in reminiscence of Pope Francis. Pic: PA
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A San Lorenzo fan at a mass in honor of Pope Francis in Buenos Aires. Pic: AP
A covertly-recorded video from 2024 was aired by Argentine TV, alleging to indicate Moretti receiving bundles of money from a youth participant’s mom earlier than signing her son.
And so it turned an evening of contrasts on Wednesday.
Some followers gathered for a memorial mass to honour the membership’s well-known fan at a church within the Buenos Aires district the place the membership, often called the Saints, was based in 1908.
“Francisco was truly great, the best player on the field, the best player in the world, who never believed in himself,” Father Juan Pablo Sclippa instructed the congregation.
However whereas that eulogy was being delivered, one other 100 followers descended on the membership’s HQ demanding the resignation of Moretti.
Amid mounting stress and official investigations, an announcement got here after midnight on X that he would take a short lived go away of absence to deal with proving his innocence over what he characterised as a donation.
Moretti had been the figurehead to steer membership delegations to the Vatican, looking for permission from Francis final yr to call a deliberate new stadium.
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Inside the place the Pope is held
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San Lorenzo rejoice mass in reminiscence of Pope Francis in Beunos Aires. Pic: AP
He by no means made it again to the membership or Argentina throughout his 12-year papacy.
However San Lorenzo, who play in Group B of the Argentine Primera División, or first division, introduced the trophies to him after successful the nationwide league in 2013 and the South American Copa Libertadores title the next yr.
Francis was not a lot of a footballer himself, rising up in Buenos Aires – as soon as remarking he had two left toes.
So he usually performed as a goalkeeper, identical to one in every of his predecessors John Paul II.
However he would host the best stars, bringing Argentina legends Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona to the Vatican.
The affect of footballers additionally weighed on Francis, as soon as reminding them of their social tasks as position fashions on and off the pitch.
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3D map exhibits pope’s funeral route
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An artist attracts a portrait of Pope Francis exterior the venue the place San Lorenzo followers celebrated mass in his honour. Pic: Reuters
However after a non secular vow to cease watching TV, matches had been solely adopted on the radio.
Members of the Swiss Guard safety unit knowledgeable him that Messi led Argentina to glory within the 2022 World Cup closing.
After Francis died on Monday, Messi thanked him “for making the world a better place”.
And the Pope believed soccer made the world higher, too.
“Many say that football is the most beautiful game in the world,” he mentioned in 2019. “I think so too.”
So it felt becoming that the Argentine Soccer Federation adopted footballing metaphors in a tribute.
“He never played individually,” was the message over their obituary video. “He always preached teamwork. Sound familiar?”
At San Lorenzo, he’ll without end be remembered as member 88,235.
And supporters are stating a coincidence. He died at 88 years previous at 2.35 am Buenos Aires time.
