Before he was Pope Francis, he was Jorge Mario Bergoglio—a kid from Buenos Aires who spent Sundays at San Lorenzo games with his dad.
In a country where soccer is a second religion, his devotion to “El Ciclón,” as the club is called, revealed a young heart shaped by joy, heartbreak, and fierce loyalty.
That love never faded. Even as archbishop of Buenos Aires, the future pope said Mass for the team, confirmed future star Ángel Correa and once bought a piece of the old stadium bleachers for $100.
In 2024, Pope Francis accepted a rare honor: San Lorenzo’s future stadium will bear his name. Upon his passing, the club said: “His passion for San Lorenzo always moved us deeply.”
Though he gave up watching TV in 1990, the Vatican’s Swiss Guards kept him updated on every match. Now, with Pope Francis watching from above, San Lorenzo fans may believe they’ve gained a heavenly intercessor—cheering them on from the best seat in the house.
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