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Before he became known worldwide as Pope Francis, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was a young boy from Buenos Aires with a passion for soccer and a love for San Lorenzo de Almagro. Born in a country where soccer is a near religion, his support for the famous Argentine club began at an early age when he attended games with his father.
San Lorenzo de Almagro, affectionately termed “El Ciclón,” is among Argentina's prominent soccer teams, with roots intertwined with the Catholic Church. Founded in 1908 by Father Lorenzo Massa, its fans are known as "the crows" due to the founder's black cassock. Bergoglio's love for the club was inherited from his father, Mario José, who also had connections to the club as a basketball player.
Following Pope Francis’ passing, San Lorenzo acknowledged his enduring connection with a heartfelt statement, noting: “His passion for San Lorenzo always moved us deeply, and unites us in constant prayer for his soul.”
While serving as archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio's bond with the club persisted. He officiated Mass at San Lorenzo's Ciudad Deportiva chapel, confirmed young players, and humorously bought a piece of wood from the club’s old stadium bleachers. In 2024, the club honored him by naming its future stadium “Papa Francisco.” The pope graciously accepted this tribute.
Reflecting on soccer’s life lessons, Pope Francis wrote in his autobiography “Hope” about being called “hard foot,” illustrating the sport's parallels to broader life teachings. During a 2019 address to Italian youth, he stated, “Soccer is a team sport. You can’t have fun alone. And if it’s lived like that, it can do good for your mind and your heart in a society that is exasperated by subjectivism.”
Despite giving up television in 1990, Francis kept abreast of soccer through radio and updates from the Vatican’s Swiss Guards, ensuring his continuous connection to Argentina’s soccer fervor.
Oscar Lucchini, overseeing the San Lorenzo chapel, expressed his admiration by holding the team's shirt with an image of Pope Francis in Buenos Aires after the announcement of the pope's passing.
For decades, Argentines have jested about divine favor in soccer, with iconic players like Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. Now, some fans of “El Ciclón” might ponder if they have an intercessor in the heavens with Pope Francis, whose fervent love for soccer continues.
Ines San Martin, an Argentine journalist, reports from Rome and serves as vice president of communications at the Pontifical Mission Societies USA.
