Rome, Italy – In a rare and solemn gesture, Serie A, Italy’s premier football league, has postponed all scheduled matches on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis at age 88. This decision underscores the profound respect Italians and the global football community hold for the late pontiff, who was not only a religious leader but also a cultural icon.
Easter Monday is traditionally a day of celebration and highly anticipated football matches in Italy, but the league’s choice to pause fixtures highlights the gravity of this moment. The postponed matches, including high-profile games like Torino vs Udinese and Parma vs Juventus, were part of matchday 33 in the 2024/25 Serie A season. The league announced it will reschedule the games before the season’s climax on May 25.
By suspending matches, Serie A joins the wider Italian nation, currently observing a period of mourning declared by the government. This respectful interruption reflects the intertwining of faith, culture, and sport in Italy, where the Catholic Church’s influence remains deeply ingrained.
