Fans Find Meaning in Pope Francis’ Membership Number

Buenos Aires, Argentina – Following the death of Pope Francis, fans of his childhood soccer club, San Lorenzo, have discovered a poignant connection to their beloved leader through his club membership number.

Pope Francis passed away at 88 years old on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at 2:35 a.m. local time. The number on his San Lorenzo membership card, 88235, has sparked a spiritual conversation among fans who believe its significance is more than coincidence. “It has to be destiny,” remarked Ramiro Rodríguez, a devoted supporter who attended a Mass celebrating the Pope’s life at San Lorenzo’s chapel.

The bond between the late pontiff and the club is strong; San Lorenzo was a vital part of his identity as a soccer fan and a youth goalkeeper. Rodríguez noted, “I went to the Vatican in 2019 and wore my San Lorenzo jersey. I felt his energy and presence there.”

In a preface for a book by Cardinal Angelo Scola, Pope Francis shared profound thoughts on life and death, stating, “Death is not the end of everything, but the beginning of something.”

Friends and community members gathered to pay their respects, placing flowers at significant locations connected to Pope Francis in Buenos Aires. A student visited a plaque outside the school where he studied, while many left tributes at his childhood home.

Omar Abboud, a prominent Muslim leader and friend of the Pope, spoke fondly of their discussions, saying, “He has a different kind of humor, a kind of joke that was with the people, not over the people.” Abboud last met with the Pope in January to discuss artificial intelligence, reflecting on how much he learned from their friendship.

As the city mourns, supporters of San Lorenzo plan to honor the late pontiff with a special jersey during their next match, just hours after the Pope’s burial in Rome. There are rumors that the new stadium might bear the name “Papa Francisco,” though the Pope had once expressed his reluctance to associate his name with infrastructure.

Pope Francis championed sports for their ability to connect youth and promote community engagement, stating it helps young people escape their digital lives. His love for San Lorenzo was shared with the people of Buenos Aires, who continue leaving messages like, “You were one of us — an Argentine — and a gift to the world.”