Julius OkorieAs world leaders head to Rome for the funeral of Late Pope Francis on Saturday, European football governing body, UEFA says it will observe a moment of silence in honour of football loving Pope before the kickoff of this week’s Youth League and Women’s Champions League semi-finals.
UEFA will also honour the late Pope Francis with a minute silence during the men’s club competition semi-finals scheduled to take place from April 29 to May 1.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn a statement on the football body’s official website, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin expressed his condolences, paying tribute to the Pope’s profound influence and enduring legacy.
“Pope Francis was a beacon of hope for all humanity, particularly during these challenging times marked by conflict and adversity,” Čeferin said.
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“With his departure, humanity has lost a powerful and tireless voice, one that consistently championed the causes of the poor, the humble, and the vulnerable. He called for respect, acceptance, and equality, while fervently imploring for peace—an ideal that often seemed elusive yet remained a deep-seated yearning in the hearts of people worldwide.”
Creme dela creme of the society have stormed Rome since the Pope passed on at the age of 88. His lying in state which began on Wednesday has since attracted millions who came from across the world to pay tribute.
Pope Francis is expected to be laid to rest at the Vatican City on Saturday, April 26. Also as a mark of honour all La Liga games scheduled for the said date have been postponed. The matches will now be played on May 4th and 5th respectively.
Meanwhile the Vatican has released the order of service ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday in St Peter’s Square.
The booklet, published on the Vatican’s website, is 87 pages long and contains the service in English, Italian and Latin.
There are also sections in several other languages including French and Portuguese.
Thousands of mourners have been queuing to say a final goodbye before the service takes place at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST).
Aside from scriptural readings and songs that will go along with the mass, the programs also has special prayer for the late Pope, collect which reads in part” O God, immortal shepherd of souls, look on your people’s prayers and grant that your servant Pope Francis, who presided over your Church in charity, may, with the flock entrusted to his care, receive from your mercy the reward of a faithful steward.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.”
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
