As already known, following the announcement by Italy's Minister for Civil Protection and Sea Policies, Nello Musumeci, all sporting events scheduled for Saturday, April 26, have been postponed to a later date: the decision was made because the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away yesterday at the age of 88 after a long illness, will be held on that day.
And thus comes the decision by CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee) to observe a minute of silence at competitive events held throughout the week to honor the memory of the Pontiff.
Here is the official statement announcing the decision:
"The President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò, in accordance with the directives contained in today’s DPCM (Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers), invites the National Sports Federations, the Associated Sports Disciplines, and the Sports Promotion Bodies to suspend all sporting events scheduled for Saturday, April 26, the day of the funeral of the Holy Father Francis. He also renews the invitation to observe a minute of silence at competitive events held throughout the week to honor the memory of the Pontiff."
