BREAKING: Pope Francis death sees Italy football chiefs make bombshell decision

Serie A have postponed all four games scheduled to take place on Easter Monday following the death of Pope Francis. The Vatican announced the death of the 88-year-old pontiff early on Monday morning.

Four games had been scheduled to be held, with the first kicking off at 11.30am BST. Udinese were slated to visit Torino in the day's opening match.

Cagliari were then set to host Fiorentina before Lazio took on Genoa. And the day's action was set to conclude with visiting Parma. Those games will now be shifted to a new day and time.

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A league statement read: "Following the passing of His Holiness, Lega Nazionale Professionisti Serie A can confirm that today's league games in Serie A and Primavera 1 have been postponed. The date of the rearranged fixtures will be announced in due course."

The Pope's death was announced by the Carmalengo. Cardinal Farrell said in a statement: “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.

"At 7:35 this morning (local time), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.

"He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised.

"With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”

Pope Francis recently approved plans for his funeral, with the Bishop of Rome to be buried in a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc. He has also scrapped the tradition of placing the Pope's body on a raised platform in St Peter's Basilica for public viewing.

Instead, mourners will be invited to pay their respects while his body remains inside the coffin, with the lid removed. He will also become first Pope in more than 100 years to be buried outside the Vatican, with the Basilica of St Mary Major selected as his final resting place.

Francis made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday, leading a blessing at the Vatican's St Peter's Square.

He came out in a wheelchair and waved from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to cheering crowds and said: "Dear brothers and sisters, happy Easter."

His traditional Easter address and blessing was read by an aide while he sat, watching. The blessing read: "There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others."

Following the blessing, the Pope was driven around the square. As he passed through the crowds, his procession was paused several times as babies were brought over for him to bless.

The Serie A title race is set to go down to the wire, with leaders Inter Milan and second-place Napoli level on points heading into the final five games of the season.