Pope Francis given special honor before Arsenal vs PSG clash at the Emirates stadium
Pope Francis was given a special honor before the kickoff of the first leg of the UEFA Champions League match between Arsenal and PSG at the Emirates stadium.
A picture of the revered pope was displayed at the match official monitor and a moment of silence observed by all in the fully packed Emirates stadium before the kickoff of the match.
Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88, was a revered Pope known for his tireless advocacy for the poor, humble, and vulnerable, and left an indelible mark on the world.
UEFA had earlier announced that a moment of silence would be held before the kick-off of its men’s club competition semi-finals, including the Arsenal vs PSG match, as a mark of respect for the late Pope. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin paid a heartfelt tribute to Pope Francis, describing him as “a beacon of hope for all humanity in these times of war and hardship.” Ceferin added that the Pope’s voice would be deeply missed, but his legacy would continue to inspire millions around the world.
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Also, to honor the revered Pope, all four Serie A matches on Monday, including Parma’s clash with Juventus and Lazio’s trip to Genoa, were postponed.
A similar tribute was paid during the La Liga game between Girona and Real Betis on Monday.
The football world came together to pay its respects to Pope Francis as Arsenal and PSG took to the pitch at the Emirates Stadium, each seeking to make a strong impression in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie.
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The Gunners, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace on Wednesday, were looking to bounce back and make a positive start to their campaign against PSG.
The match between Arsenal and PSG was played on Tuesday, April 29, at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal will be hoping to win the first leg before their home fans to boost their chances of qualifying for their first UCL final since 2006.
The Gunners defeated Real Madrid 5:1 on aggregate in the quarter final to book a place in the Semi final with the crowned champions of France -PSG.
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