GhanaWeb Feature by Benjamin Sackey
The death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, at the age of 80, marks a historic moment that could have surprising implications for the UEFA Champions League.
Historically, English clubs have often gone on to win the competition in years when a pope passes away. In the past, English teams such as Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, and Manchester City have lifted the coveted trophy following the death of a Catholic Church leader.
If history is any guide, Arsenal may have an increased chance of winning this season’s Champions League, given that Pope Francis passed away due to illness this year.
This GhanaWeb Sports piece explores the historical connection between papal deaths and Champions League victories for English clubs.
The impact of the Pope’s death on the Champions League
On three occasions, English clubs have won the Champions League in the same season that a pope passed away.
Here are the notable examples:
1978/79: Pope John Paul I died on September 28, 1978, and Nottingham Forest went on to win the European Cup. 2004/05: Pope John Paul II died on April 2, 2005, and Liverpool won the Champions League.
2022/23: Pope Benedict XVI died on December 31, 2022, and Manchester City clinched the title.
Now, in 2024/25, following the death of Pope Francis, all eyes are on Arsenal, the only remaining Premier League side in the competition.
They currently trail Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) 1-0 after the first leg of the semifinals at the Emirates Stadium.
Can Arsenal keep the trend alive?
Arsenal face a tough challenge in the second leg as they travel to the Parc des Princes on May 7, 2025. However, with key players like Thomas Partey returning, the Gunners remain hopeful of turning the tie around.
A victory would see them advance to the final and edge closer to claiming their first-ever Champions League title, while also continuing a curious historical trend.
A papal connection to football
While Pope Francis was known for his support of Argentine club San Lorenzo, his predecessors also had strong ties to the sport.
Pope John Paul II, for example, was a football enthusiast who once played as a goalkeeper.
He supported Cracovia, a Polish club, and reportedly admired Liverpool. In 2003, former Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek revealed that the Pope would often watch their games and thought of him when the team played.
As Arsenal prepare for a defining moment in their history, fans and football romantics alike will be watching closely, wondering if divine timing and history will once again align. SB/MA
Meanwhile, watch why #SaveTheJudiciaryDemo is trending on GhanaWeb TV below
