Death of football-loving Pope comes as president of club he supported faces corruption claims

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For Pope Francis, there was faith – and football. And concerns about corruption tainting the joy and purity of sport.

But at the Argentine club supported by Jorge Bergoglio since childhood, this week of prayers has turned to protests.

Scandal engulfed the club hours after San Lorenzo president Marcelo Moretti issued tributes on Monday, recounting conversations with Francis about elevating the club.

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A covertly-recorded video from 2024 was aired by Argentine TV, alleging to show Moretti receiving bundles of cash from a youth player’s mother before signing her son.

And so it became a night of contrasts on Wednesday.

Some fans gathered for a memorial mass to honour the club’s famous fan at a church in the Buenos Aires district where the club, known as the Saints, was founded in 1908.

“Francisco was truly great, the best player on the field, the best player in the world, who never believed in himself,” Father Juan Pablo Sclippa told the congregation.

But while that eulogy was being delivered, another 100 fans descended on the club’s HQ demanding the resignation of Moretti.

Amid mounting pressure and official investigations, an announcement came after midnight on X that he would take a temporary leave of absence to focus on proving his innocence over what he characterised as a donation.

Moretti had been the figurehead to lead club delegations to the Vatican, seeking permission from Francis last year to name a planned new stadium.

He never made it back to the club or Argentina during his 12-year papacy.

But San Lorenzo, who play in Group B of the Argentine Primera División, or first division, brought the trophies to him after winning the national league in 2013 and the South American Copa Libertadores title the following year.

Francis was not much of a footballer himself, growing up in Buenos Aires – once remarking he had two left feet.

So he often played as a goalkeeper, just like one of his predecessors John Paul II.

But he would host the greatest stars, bringing Argentina legends Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona to the Vatican.

The influence of footballers also weighed on Francis, once reminding them of their social responsibilities as role models on and off the pitch.

But after a religious vow to stop watching TV, matches were only followed on the radio.

Members of the Swiss Guard protection unit informed him that Messi led Argentina to glory in the 2022 World Cup final.

After Francis died on Monday, Messi thanked him “for making the world a better place”.

And the Pope believed football made the world better, too.

“Many say that football is the most beautiful game in the world,” he said in 2019. “I think so too.”

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So it felt fitting that the Argentine Football Federation adopted footballing metaphors in a tribute.

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“He never played individually,” was the message over their obituary video. “He always preached teamwork. Sound familiar?”

At San Lorenzo, he will forever be remembered as member 88,235.

And supporters are pointing out a coincidence. He died at 88 years old at 2.35 am Buenos Aires time.