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Rest in Peace, Your Holiness: Pope Francis (1936-2025)

ByKen Garner|
Pope Francis accepts a ball from Dani Alves, a former soccer fullback who starred for Barcelona and Brazil, at a 2022 ceremony celebrating Scholas Occurrentes, an international educational program for youth. Francis, from Argentina, was famously a soccer fan and devoted to CA San Lorenzo de Almagro.
Pope Francis accepts a ball from Dani Alves, a former soccer fullback who starred for Barcelona and Brazil, at a 2022 ceremony celebrating Scholas Occurrentes, an international educational program for youth. Francis, from Argentina, was famously a soccer fan and devoted to CA San Lorenzo de Almagro. | Franco Origlia/GettyImages
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Jorge Mario Bergoglio, born Dec. 17, 1936, in the Flores neighborhood of Buenos Aires, loved futbol, especially his beloved Club Atletico San Lorenzo de Almagro. He carried that love for the rest of his long life. In 2013, Jorge was selected to lead the Roman Catholic Church as Pope Francis. He was the first Jesuit and the first American selected for that role.

Pope Francis died early Monday in Rome.

"“A different, approachable, Argentine pope. Thank you for making the world a better place. We will miss you.”"
Lionel Messi, on Instagram

Yes, this site focuses on Major League Soccer, more specifically Club Internacional de Futbol Miami. But when a world figure of Pope Francis' stature leaves us, I think it's important to pay our respect. Francis was often controversial among Catholics and non-Catholics alike, but I hope we all can agree that his love for people was obvious in the way he conducted his life and led his church.

The Associated Press published a story Monday about the pope's love for soccer and how the soccer world is remembering El Papa. Read that story here.

INTERludes: Cremaschi, Weigandt earn Team of the Matchday nods

Benjamin Cremaschi, Tadeo Allende
Tadeo Allende, left, and Benjamin Cremaschi celebrate after Cremaschi headed home a cross from Chelo Weigandt (not pictured) for the only goal in Inter Miami's 1-0 win Saturday against Columbus in Cleveland. | Jason Mowry/GettyImages

Inter Miami's "Fantastic Four" former Barcelona stars -- Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez -- command most of the attention from fans, the media and opposing defenses, but the supporting cast earned a nod of recognition Monday.

Midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi, 20, a homegrown player from Key Biscayne, and Marcelo "Chelo" Weigandt, 25, an Argentine right back on loan from Boca Juniors, teamed up for the only goal of the Herons' 1-0 win against Columbus Crew Saturday at Huntington Bank Field. Weigandt chased down a long outlet pass from Luis Suarez heading into the right corner and flicked a chest-high cross in front of the Crew's net. Cremaschi, following the play, dived in his best Superman impression and, parallel to the ground with a defender on his shoulder, headed the ball into the goal.

Marcelo Weigandt
Marcelo 'Chelo' Weigandt | Chris Arjoon/GettyImages

The effort helped Inter Miami (5-0-3, 18 points) extend its unbeaten start to the MLS season to eight games. The loss was the first for Columbus (5-1-3) and left the Herons as the only team unbeaten in MLS play. The Herons have lost one match (to Los Angeles FC, 1-0) in Concacaf Champions Cup action.

For their efforts, Cremaschi and Weigandt were named to the Major League Soccer Week Nine Team of the Matchday.

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