Lionel Messi Pays Tribute to Pope Francis: "A Pope Who Was Different, Near, Argentine"

Lionel Messi has paid tribute to Pope Francis following the pontiff’s passing, sharing a heartfelt message on social media to honour his fellow Argentine.

"A Pope who was different, near, Argentine... Rest In Peace, Papa Francisco. Thank you for making the world a better place. We will miss you."

With these words, Messi joined millions across the globe in mourning the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 in Vatican City. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Pope Francis made history in 2013 when he became the first Latin American and Jesuit pope of the Roman Catholic Church.