Pope Francis’ beloved soccer club in Buenos Aires mourns him; fans spot an eerie coincidence | World News
San Lorenzo, the cherished soccer club of Pope Francis, paid tribute to its most famous fan on Wednesday night with a memorial Mass at its horic chapel in Buenos Aires. The ceremony came two days after the death of the pope, who died at age 88.
Dozens of club members—many wearing the red and navy blue San Lorenzo jerseys and clutching rosaries—gathered in the middle-class Almagro neighbourhood where the club was founded in 1908 a Catholic priest. The memorial took place in the same chapel where Bergoglio, long before becoming pope, once celebrated Mass as a young priest.
“We’re not saying goode to a fan or the club’s most important fan. Today, many of us are saying goode to a friend,” said Father Juan Pablo Sclippa, standing at an altar adorned with portraits of the late pope. “Francisco was truly great, the best player on the field, the best player in the world, who never believed in himself.”
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The Pope and soccer
An art paints an image of the late Pope Francis outside San Antonio parish before a Mass fans of San Lorenzo soccer club. (AP Photo)
Born in Buenos Aires to an Italian migrant family in 1936, Bergoglio grew up in the working-class Flores neighbourhood near San Lorenzo’s stadium. He began attending matches with his father as a child and remained a devoted fan throughout his life, paying his monthly club dues even after ascending to the papacy in 2013.
Despite rarely playing soccer due to childhood health issues, he held a deep love for the game. Known for his humility and simplicity, Francis often commuted bus, walked through shantytowns barefoot, and discussed football with parishioners. At the Vatican, he hosted soccer legends like Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, once calling sport “a great leveller.”
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An eerie coincidence: Membership number 88235
In the wake of his passing, fans flooded social media with a peculiar observation: the pope’s club membership number—88235—contained both his age (88) and the exact time of his death in Buenos Aires (2:35 am). The club confirmed this detail, sparking curiosity and reverence among his followers.Story continues below this ad
“He died at 88 years old, at 2:35 am, and was member 88235. It really caught my attention,” one fan wrote on X. For many, the numerical link felt like a small miracle tied to a man often credited with lifting the club’s fortunes.
Pope Francis is presented with a San Lorenzo soccer team jersey Colombian former player Ivan Ramiro Cordoba during the pontiff’s weekly general audience in St. Peter’s square at the Vatican, March 25, 2015. (AP Photo)
Shortly after Francis became pope in 2013, San Lorenzo clinched the Argentine championship and, a year later, won its first-ever Copa Libertadores title. Twice, club players and officials traveled to St. Peter’s Basilica to present trophies in gratitude.
Mourning
To commemorate Francis, San Lorenzo will wear special jerseys during Saturday’s match against Rosario Central—held the same day as the pontiff’s funeral at the Vatican.
Club chapel caretaker Oscar Lucchini shared photos of Francis holding a San Lorenzo jersey, alongside his printed membership card. “The pope leaves an unbreakable legacy,” said Moretti earlier to Reuters. “For all San Lorenzo fans, he was a source of great pride. It is a very sad day.”
(With inputs from AP and Reuters)
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