This is a photo collection curated by AP photo editors.
Number 42 San Diego Padres batters helmets, in honor of Jackie Robinson Day, sit in the dugout before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Players and coaches wear number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson during a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
St. Louis Cardinals' Jordan Walker wears number 42 on his jersey to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day after taking part in a ceremony before the start of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
FILE - Ayo Robinson, the granddaughter of baseball great Jackie Robinson, pauses next to a sculpture of her grandfather on Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Monday, April 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals team members arrive to celebrate Jackie Robinson Tribute Day before a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, on Monday, April 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
FILE - Baseball Player Jackie Robinson with the Montreal Royals club at Sanford, Fla., March 4, 1946. (AP Photo/Bill Chaplis, File)
FILE - Brooklyn Dodgers' infielder Jackie Robinson is photographed on April 18, 1948. (AP Photo, File)
FILE - Brooklyn Dodgers' Jackie Robinson safely steals home plate under the tag of New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra as pinch-hitter Frank Kellert looks on in the eighth inning of the World Series opener at New York's Yankee Stadium, Sept. 28, 1955. (AP Photo/John Rooney, File)
Former NBA basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar speaks to members of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game at Dodger Stadium Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, left, hugs members of the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium during an event to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
People gather at Dodger Stadium to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
The number 42 is placed on the outfield grass at Dodger Stadium to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A statue of Jackie Robinson is seen at Dodger Stadium on Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Detroit Tigers' Justyn-Henry Malloy (44) participates in batting practice before a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Milwaukee. It is Jackie Robinson Day across all MLB games. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
San Francisco Giants' Willy Adames wears a pair of the Nike cleats to honor Jackie Robinson during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
San Francisco Giants' Willy Adames, wearing #42 and arm sleeves with 42 on them in honor of Jackie Robinson, goes to bat during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Pittsburgh Pirates' Ke'Bryan Hayes wears the number 42 on his cap in honor of Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Artist Ccdy Sabol paints a portrait of Jackie Robinson before a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Washington Nationals Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton wears the number 42 on his cap in honor of Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Kansas City Royals' Maikel Garcia wears cleats with the number 42 on them, in honor of Jackie Robinson Day, during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
St. Louis Cardinals' Victor Scott II wears number 42 on his cleats to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day before the start of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals' Victor Scott II wears number 42 on his cleats to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day before the start of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, right, wears cleats with the number 42, in honor of Jackie Robinson Day, as he stands on first base during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Cincinnati Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand wears batting gloves in honor of Jackie Robinson Day while standing in the dugout during the second inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
A base is labeled in celebration of Jackie Robinson Day during the first inning of a baseball game between the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Players for the Chicago Cubs wear the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day during the national anthem before playing against the San Diego Padres in a baseball game Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Players for the Chicago Cubs wear the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day during the national anthem before playing against the San Diego Padres in a baseball game Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
New York Yankees players wearing 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day take the field before a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in New York. All the players are wearing 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Cincinnati Reds catcher Jose Trevino warms up while wearing catching gear in honor of Jackie Robinson Day during the second inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Gloves with the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day are seen in the Athletics' dugout during the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Josh Naylor wears shoes in celebration of Jackie Robinson Day during a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Washington Nationals' Keibert Ruiz stands on deck while wearing the number 42 for Jackie Robinson Day during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Boston Red Sox players line up for the national anthem before a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. Players on both teams wore number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New York Mets' Juan Soto, right, celebrates with Pete Alonso after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Minneapolis. All players were wearing No. 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Students carry placards in celebration of Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game between the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Sonya Robinson Pankey, granddaughter of Jackie Robinson, throws a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies in Los Angeles, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Sonya Robinson Pankey, center, granddaughter of Jackie Robinson, hugs Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts after throwing a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies in Los Angeles, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Angels players all wear number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day as they observe the national anthem before a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Albert Pena)
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Number 42 San Diego Padres batters helmets, in honor of Jackie Robinson Day, sit in the dugout before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Players and coaches wear number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson during a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
St. Louis Cardinals' Jordan Walker wears number 42 on his jersey to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day after taking part in a ceremony before the start of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
FILE - Ayo Robinson, the granddaughter of baseball great Jackie Robinson, pauses next to a sculpture of her grandfather on Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Monday, April 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals team members arrive to celebrate Jackie Robinson Tribute Day before a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, on Monday, April 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
FILE - Baseball Player Jackie Robinson with the Montreal Royals club at Sanford, Fla., March 4, 1946. (AP Photo/Bill Chaplis, File)
FILE - Brooklyn Dodgers' infielder Jackie Robinson is photographed on April 18, 1948. (AP Photo, File)
FILE - Brooklyn Dodgers' Jackie Robinson safely steals home plate under the tag of New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra as pinch-hitter Frank Kellert looks on in the eighth inning of the World Series opener at New York's Yankee Stadium, Sept. 28, 1955. (AP Photo/John Rooney, File)
Former NBA basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar speaks to members of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game at Dodger Stadium Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, left, hugs members of the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium during an event to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
People gather at Dodger Stadium to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
The number 42 is placed on the outfield grass at Dodger Stadium to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A statue of Jackie Robinson is seen at Dodger Stadium on Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Detroit Tigers' Justyn-Henry Malloy (44) participates in batting practice before a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Milwaukee. It is Jackie Robinson Day across all MLB games. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
San Francisco Giants' Willy Adames wears a pair of the Nike cleats to honor Jackie Robinson during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
San Francisco Giants' Willy Adames, wearing #42 and arm sleeves with 42 on them in honor of Jackie Robinson, goes to bat during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Pittsburgh Pirates' Ke'Bryan Hayes wears the number 42 on his cap in honor of Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Artist Ccdy Sabol paints a portrait of Jackie Robinson before a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Washington Nationals Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton wears the number 42 on his cap in honor of Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Kansas City Royals' Maikel Garcia wears cleats with the number 42 on them, in honor of Jackie Robinson Day, during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
St. Louis Cardinals' Victor Scott II wears number 42 on his cleats to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day before the start of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals' Victor Scott II wears number 42 on his cleats to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day before the start of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, right, wears cleats with the number 42, in honor of Jackie Robinson Day, as he stands on first base during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Cincinnati Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand wears batting gloves in honor of Jackie Robinson Day while standing in the dugout during the second inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
A base is labeled in celebration of Jackie Robinson Day during the first inning of a baseball game between the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Players for the Chicago Cubs wear the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day during the national anthem before playing against the San Diego Padres in a baseball game Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Players for the Chicago Cubs wear the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day during the national anthem before playing against the San Diego Padres in a baseball game Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
New York Yankees players wearing 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day take the field before a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in New York. All the players are wearing 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Cincinnati Reds catcher Jose Trevino warms up while wearing catching gear in honor of Jackie Robinson Day during the second inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Gloves with the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day are seen in the Athletics' dugout during the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Josh Naylor wears shoes in celebration of Jackie Robinson Day during a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Washington Nationals' Keibert Ruiz stands on deck while wearing the number 42 for Jackie Robinson Day during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Boston Red Sox players line up for the national anthem before a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. Players on both teams wore number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New York Mets' Juan Soto, right, celebrates with Pete Alonso after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Minneapolis. All players were wearing No. 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Students carry placards in celebration of Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game between the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Sonya Robinson Pankey, granddaughter of Jackie Robinson, throws a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies in Los Angeles, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Sonya Robinson Pankey, center, granddaughter of Jackie Robinson, hugs Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts after throwing a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies in Los Angeles, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Angels players all wear number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day as they observe the national anthem before a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Albert Pena)
ROME (AP) — Four top-flight soccer matches in Italy were postponed after the death of Pope Francis on Monday and the Buenos Aires club that the Argentine pontiff supported throughout his life mourned its most famous fan.
The wider soccer and sports world also paid homage after Francis passed away at 88.
All sports events scheduled for Easter Monday in Italy were postponed, including including four Serie A games: Torino-Udinese; Cagliari-Fiorentina; Genoa-Lazio; and Parma-Juventus.
A minute of silence will be observed before all sports events later in the week, the Italian Olympic Committee added.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he was “deeply saddened” over the pope’s death.
“I was privileged enough to spend some time with him on a couple of occasions, and he always shared his enthusiasm for football and stressed the important role our sport plays in society,” Infantino said on Instagram. “All the prayers of the whole football world are with him.”
Francis’ passion for soccer became known almost immediately after he was elected pope in 2013 when the Argentine club San Lorenzo tweeted a photo of him holding up the team’s crest. He was even a card-carrying member of the club, with San Lorenzo ID No. 88,235.
San Lorenzo is nicknamed “the Saints.”
“He was always one of us,” San Lorenzo said in an Instagram tribute, remembering how Francis watched its 1946 championship team as a young boy.
San Lorenzo performed well after Francis was elected as the 266th pope in March 2013. The team won a national title in 2013 and then claimed the South American Copa Libertadores for the first time a year later. Club officials traveled twice to the Vatican carrying trophies to thank Francis for his support.
A planned new San Lorenzo stadium is to be named for Francis.
In Italy, there were also suggestions that Francis supported Juventus since his family came from the Piedmont region where the Turin club is based. Francis’ father, Mario Bergoglio, was a basketball player.
Francis met his fellow Argentine Diego Maradona twice as pope. There was a special audience in connection with a charity soccer match in 2014 when Maradona presented the pontiff with a soccer jersey, emblazoned with the name “Francisco” — Spanish for Francis — and Maradona’s No. 10.
“I think we all now realize he’s a (star),” Maradona said after another meeting in 2015. “I’m Francis’ top fan.”
When Maradona died in 2020, Francis remembered the soccer great in his prayers.
Record 15-time European soccer champion Real Madrid also mourned Francis in a message on Instagram:
“Real Madrid would like to express its condolences to the entire Catholic community on the loss of a historic and universal figure,” Real Madrid said in a statement. “During his pontificate, characterised by the scale of his immense legacy, Pope Francis has represented an enormous spirit of solidarity and support for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people.”
During a meeting with the Argentina and Italy national teams shortly after he was elected, Francis noted the influence of athletes, especially on youth, and told the players to remember that, “for better or worse” they are role models. “Dear players, you are very popular. People follow you, and not just on the field but also off it,” he said. “That’s a social responsibility.”
Francis often hailed sports as a way to promote solidarity and inclusion, especially for young people.
During a global conference on faith and sport in 2016, Francis implored leaders to do a better job of keeping corruption off the playing field and said sports must be protected from manipulations and commercial abuse.
“Francis was a special pope, able to illuminate in his time like only the greatest can,” Gianluigi Buffon, the former captain of Italy’s national soccer team who met the pope on multiple occasions, said on Instagram. “He showed us the way with great courage and moved our souls. I will carry his example forever in my heart.”
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
FILE - Pope Francis blesses faithfuls as he arrives to celebrate the Mass of Assumption of Mary at Daejeon World Cup stadium in Daejeon, South Korea, Friday, Aug. 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, file)
FILE - Pope Francis twirls a soccer ball he was presented by a member of the Circus of Cuba, during his weekly general audience in the Pope Paul VI hall, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, file)
FILE - Argentine soccer legend Diego Armando Maradona, left, greets Pope Francis in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Monday, Sept. 1, 2014. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)