CONI call for sporting postponements, minute's silence following Pope's passing

"We invited national federations and all organisers of sporting events to suspend their competitions on Monday," read the CONI statement. Cycling race, the Tour of the Alps, a key lead-up race to the Giro d'Italia, did get underway after observing a minute's silence.

Four Serie A matches scheduled to take place had already been postponed to a later date following the death of Pope Francis. Udinese's game at Torino, Fiorentina's visit to Cagliari, Genoa's match against Lazio and Juventus' trip to Parma will be rescheduled to an unspecified date.

The games will have to fit into a congested finish to the season, potentially clashing with the Champions League semi-finals. Serie A also postponed matches in its youth league.

The Italian football federation (FIGC) announced that all games across professional and amateur football on Monday would be rescheduled to a later date. The FIGC hailed the Pope as "an example of Christian charity and dignity in suffering, always close to the world of football".

The Vatican said Pope Francis, a keen football fan, died aged 88 on Monday, with tributes flooding in from clubs across Italy.

"Pope Francis, a man who will be missed by all, not just Catholics, has passed away. He transmitted a sense of kindness, solidarity, and inclusion," Serie A giants Napoli said in a statement.

Champions League semi-finalists Inter Milan, who are engaged in a Serie A title battle with Napoli, also issued a statement. "FC Internazionale Milano mourns the passing of Pope Francis, a man of faith, humility and discourse, who touched the hearts of us all," Inter said.

Former Italy and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who had a private audience with Pope Francis in 2014, said: "He showed us the way with great courage and shook our souls, I will carry his example forever in my heart."