Pope Francis's connection with San Lorenzo de Almagro

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who adopted the name Pope Francis upon assuming the role in 2013, passed away this Monday at the age of 88 in Vatican City. His pontificate left an indelible mark on the history of the Catholic Church, becoming the first Latin American to reach that role, and also for his well-known passion for soccer.

Since his time as Cardinal, he did not hide his fanaticism for San Lorenzo de Almagro, which earned him the nickname "Pope Futbolero" in various corners of the planet. His bond with the Ciclón went beyond mere sympathy.

The Pope was always a fan of the Ciclón, due to his father's ties with the club (he was a basketball player), however, it was not until 2008 that he became an active member. A curiosity is that the membership number (Member number 88.235N-0) on his card has the age of his passing and the number in the Quiniela that represents the Pope (88), and the time of his death (2:35 AM, Argentina Time).

While he was still Cardinal in Buenos Aires, every first of April, San Lorenzo's anniversary date, he celebrated mass in the chapel located in the Ciudad Deportiva of Bajo Flores. That same year, Bergoglio made a blessing in the San Antonio oratory for the centenary of the club's foundation.

The Pope and the 2014 Libertadores

One of the most notable moments of his relationship with San Lorenzo occurred in 2014, with the winning of the Copa Libertadores, just a year after becoming the highest representative of the Catholic Church. Just two years earlier, the Cuervos, under the technical direction of Ricardo Caruso Lombardi, had avoided relegation after defeating Instituto in the Promotion.

For some fans and believers, the continental consecration against Nacional of Paraguay and this unbelievable sports comeback strengthened the idea of a "papal blessing." Even Jorge Bergoglio himself joked about the phenomenon that arose since his assumption: "Since they have my face on the jersey, they win everything".

It was then that Marcelo Tinelli, Matías Lammens, and the team led by Edgardo Bauza traveled to the Vatican to present him with the trophy, in a meeting filled with emotion and joy for Francis (who had already received the team previously, after the conquest of the 2013 Initial Tournament).

The club's farewell

As expected, San Lorenzo posted a farewell message on their social media, accompanied by a commemorative video remembering the Supreme Pontiff.

"He was never just another one and was always one of ours. Cuervo as a child and as a man...Cuervo as a priest and Cardinal... Cuervo also as Pope... He always conveyed his passion for the Ciclón: when he went to the Old Gasometer to see the team of '46, when he confirmed Angelito Correa in the Ciudad Deportiva chapel, when he received the blaugrana visits in the Vatican always with total happiness... Member No. 88235", the club wrote.

"From Jorge Mario Bergoglio to Francis, there was something that never changed: his love for the Ciclón. Wrapped in deep sorrow, from #SanLorenzo today we say to Francis: Goodbye, thank you, and farewell!We will be together for eternity!", concluded the Ciclón's farewell message.

His soccer passion attracted great sports figures

Francis's devotion to soccer was also reflected in the multiple visits he received from renowned teams and players. Besides the San Lorenzo squad, delegations from Bayern Munich, Napoli, Juventus, Lazio, Milan, Roma, and the Argentine National Team, runner-up in the 2014 World Cup, traveled to the Vatican.

In that same context, iconic soccer figures also made special visits, such as Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Gianluigi Buffon, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuaín, among many others.