Like many people in Argentina, Pope Francis and his family loved soccer.
They were loyal supporters of Club Atlético San Lorenzo, a team based in the Boedo neighborhood of Buenos Aires.
The Pope’s father, Mario José Bergoglio, was passionate about the team.
Sadly, he passed away from a heart attack while attending a San Lorenzo match at the stadium, with Pope’s brother, son Alberto, by his side.
Pope Francis remained a lifelong fan of San Lorenzo, keeping his membership card and following the team’s matches whenever he had the chance.
The Pope has several nephews, one of whom is Felipe Bergoglio, a young soccer player currently playing for Castiglione 1919, an Italian club.
Sadly, Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88.
He died at his home in Casa Santa Marta, inside the Vatican, where he had been living during his time as pope.
A Glimpse Into Pope Francis’s Family Life, His Siblings, And The Bond That Shaped Him
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the oldest of five children to parents Mario José Bergoglio and Regina María Sívori.
Over the years, Pope Francis has spoken about his family and their deep bond.
Felipe once shared that he was only 10 years old when his grandfather became pope, a moment he remembers well.
Don’t forget to pray for Maria Elena Bergoglio Pope Francis's only still-living sibling🥲 pic.twitter.com/cyj07rHsyi
— Athanasia (@saintathanasia) April 22, 2025
Their father passed away when María Elena was still young, and Francis naturally took on a supportive role for her.
His other siblings—Óscar, Marta, and Alberto—passed away over the last few decades, and their absence has left a lasting impact on him.
Despite the sadness and losses his family experienced, he often expressed the strength they found in one another.
Their love and shared memories helped them stay strong and move forward even during the most challenging moments.
“Life in my family has known a lot of sadness, tears, and pain, but even in the most difficult times we’ve experienced a smile and a laugh that could provide us with the energy we needed to find our way back,”
Pope Francis
When he became pope in 2013, only one of his siblings, María Elena, was still alive.
She had once hoped he wouldn’t be chosen as pope, simply because she didn’t want to see him leave. But in the end, she accepted it with love and faith.
After his election, he asked María Elena to share the news with their extended family, knowing he couldn’t reach out to everyone.
She lives a quiet life in Argentina, away from the public spotlight.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- During the ceremony, Pope Francis’ death was officially announced. Cardinal Farrell confirmed the declaration, and the entire rite lasted under an hour.
- Afterward, seals were placed on the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace and his residence on the second floor of Casa Santa Marta, where he had been living.
- Later that evening, Vatican spokesperson Mr. Bruni shared that those who worked closely with Pope Francis had started coming to pay their final respects.
