Amid a complicated institutional crisis, San Lorenzo de Almagro prepares to honor its most iconic supporter: Pope Francis. The Argentine club, currently engulfed in turmoil following corruption allegations against its president, will experience an emotional day this Saturday at the Nuevo Gasómetro, where they will face Rosario Central in the Apertura tournament.

An Emotional Farewell at the Nuevo Gasómetro

The 'Ciclón' will step onto the field not only under the sporting pressure of improving their position in Group B but also with the symbolic weight of bidding farewell to one of their most illustrious fans. Jorge Bergoglio, a passionate azulgrana supporter since his youth, passed away this past Monday, and the club has planned a heartfelt tribute to honor his memory.

The squad, led by Spaniard Iker Muniaín, will arrive at the stadium aboard a bus specially decorated with an image of the Pope holding the San Lorenzo crest and the phrase "Siempre Cuervo" ("Forever a Cuervo"). As part of the pre-match ceremony, fans will be given flags in the Vatican’s white and yellow colors, which will fill the stands as the team enters the field.

The traditional azulgrana smoke will be replaced by white and yellow smoke, while a massive banner featuring the Pope’s image will cover a large section of the popular stand. Players will also wear a patch on their shirts with the message "Together for Eternity," alongside the pontiff’s face.

The week of tributes began on Wednesday, when San Lorenzo held a mass at San Antonio Chapel in the Almagro neighborhood, where in 1908 Salesian priest Lorenzo Massa founded the club to help keep local youth off the streets.

A Leadership Crisis That Won't Let Up

This moving tribute unfolds against the backdrop of deep institutional unrest. On Tuesday, president Marcelo Moretti was criminally charged with alleged fraudulent administration, after a video surfaced showing him receiving $25,000 in a scandal involving youth player signings. Following the incident, Moretti requested a leave of absence on Thursday, and the next day his office at the stadium was raided by police.

Between the shock of losing its most famous supporter and the turmoil at the top of its leadership, San Lorenzo will try to find a moment of peace at home this Saturday, as fans and players unite their hearts to bid farewell to a man who, even from the Vatican, remained a true 'Cuervo.'