Pope Francis Mourns Maradona

The Pontiff of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has joined millions of football lovers around the world to mourn Argentine Icon and football legend, Diego Maradona, who died on Wednesday from cardiac arrest.

The Pontiff, a lifelong admirer of the diminutive soccer maestro and fan of Buenos Aires San Lorenzo soccer team, in a statement from the Vatican says he remembers the soccer legend and a fellow countryman with love and is keeping him in his prayers.

“The Pope was informed about the death of Diego Maradona, he recalls the times he met him in the past years with affection, and is remembering him in his prayers”.

The Vatican official news website dedicated the front page of its daily news paper to talk about the story of Maradona’s death with a catching headline which dubbed him a “Soccer Poet” and “an extraordinary player but fragile man”.

It was a reference to his struggles with drugs and alcohol abuse.

In his time, Maradona had charity matches in Rome and proceeds from the games were donated to the papal charity for education in developing countries.

Maradona will be laid to rest on Thursday at Jardin De Paz cemetery, an outskirt of Buenos Aires.