On April 21, 2025, Real Madrid paid tribute to the late Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday. Before their training session, the players and coaching staff gathered in a circle at their Valdebebas training ground to observe a minute's silence in his honor.

In an official statement, the club expressed its condolences to the global Catholic community, describing Pope Francis as a "historic and universal figure." They highlighted his papacy as a time marked by immense solidarity and compassion for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, was an avid football enthusiast and a lifelong supporter of Buenos Aires club San Lorenzo. Throughout his papacy, he emphasized football's potential as a tool for education and peace, often welcoming football legends like Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, and Zlatan Ibrahimović to the Vatican.

The football community at large joined in mourning the Pope's passing. La Liga clubs, including Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, also expressed their condolences, underscoring the Pope's profound impact both within and beyond the realm of sports.