San Lorenzo de Almagro: History of Pope Francis’ team in Argentina

On more than one occasion during his pontificate, Pope Francis has expressed his affection for the Argentine club San Lorenzo de Almagro, of which he has been a fan since he was a child. Today, as we celebrate the feast of the martyred deacon San Lorenzo, we remember some facts about the origin of the well-known soccer team.

1. It was founded in Buenos Aires

The San Lorenzo club was founded on April 1, 1908 in the town of Almagro, but is now located in what is known as Bajo Flores in Buenos Aires, the Argentine capital.

Seeing the boys playing in the streets, the Salesian priest Lorenzo Massa invited them to play at the San Antonio Oratory, in exchange for them going to Mass every Sunday.

2. The name of the club

They were originally called “Los Forzosos de Almagro”. When the priest suggested changing the name, several were considered, such as “Centinela de Quito”, “El Almagreño”, “Río de la Plata”.

The name that was finally chosen was “Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro”, in homage to Father Massa and also in memory of San Lorenzo, the martyred deacon who was burned alive on a grill.

3. Why is San Lorenzo called “Los Cuervos”?

Lorenzo Massa’s black cassock was the reason why the team received the nickname “the crows”, because that was what they called the players when they were seen with the priest.

4. Pope Francis and San Lorenzo de Almagro

Pope Francis is member No. 88,235 of the club. As indicated by the authorities of San Lorenzo de Almagro, the Holy Father has religiously paid his membership fee.

In August 2014, a group of directors and players from San Lorenzo de Almagro traveled to Rome to present the Copa Libertadores that the team won that year.

5. A special memory of the Holy Father

“For me, San Lorenzo is the team that the whole family was a fan of: My dad played basketball for San Lorenzo, he was a player on the basketball team. And as children we went, mom also came with us, to the gasometer,” he said the Pope in reference to the name by which the state of the Argentine club is called.

“I remember how today the season of ’46 (1946), San Lorenzo had a brilliant team, we were champions… you know, with glory, I live it with glory,” he added.

6. The tribute of San Lorenzo de Almagro to Pope Francis

In March 2013, when he was elected Successor of Saint Peter, the San Lorenzo players paid tribute to Pope Francis, wearing a special t-shirt with a photo of the new Bishop of Rome on the chest.

In May of that year, Oscar Lucchini, in charge of the chapel where the then Archbishop of Buenos Aires celebrated Mass on special occasions, explained to ACI Prensa how they managed to put the image of the Holy Father on the shirt.

After the election of Pope Francis, the San Lorenzo club asked the local sports authorities for permission to put the Pontiff’s photo on the shirt, permission they received only once.

7. A special request from the Pope

In total “30 shirts were made. One was donated to the chapel, another was donated to the club and the others were auctioned for charity works that the Pope requested.”

“The Pope always tells us not to go see him, not to spend money and to use that money for works of charity,” Lucchini highlighted.

Originally published August 10, 2022. It has been updated for republication.