The death of Pope Francis on April 22, 2025, has deeply affected Poland, prompting President Andrzej Duda to declare a national day of mourning on April 26, the date of the Pope's funeral. This decision has led to significant changes in the calendar of events across the country, with several important ceremonies being canceled or postponed.
One of the key events affected is a concert combined with a drone show celebrating the 1000th anniversary of the Polish Crown in Warsaw, which has been rescheduled to April 27 to honor the solemnity of the national mourning. Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that the assembly of MPs and senators in Gniezno, commemorating the 1000th anniversary of the coronation of Bolesław Chrobry, has also been moved to April 25.
In a significant shift, Telewizja Polska (TVP) has radically altered its programming for the day of mourning. On April 26, TVP will not air entertainment programs; instead, viewers can expect reflective and religious content, including a live broadcast of Pope Francis's funeral from the Vatican at 10:00 AM. This move is intended to pay tribute to the Pope, who was a significant figure for millions of Poles.
However, uncertainty looms over the scheduled matches of the PKO BP Ekstraklasa on April 26, which include Lechia Gdańsk vs. Piast Gliwice at 2:45 PM, Motor Lublin vs. Cracovia at 5:30 PM, and GKS Katowice vs. Legia Warszawa at 8:15 PM. As of April 22, 2025, Ekstraklasa SA has not issued an official statement regarding the cancellation or postponement of these matches. The final decision will depend on the regulation from the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, which will determine whether a ban on mass gatherings will be enforced during the national mourning.
If such a ban is implemented, the matches may be canceled or postponed to a later date. In the absence of a ban, the games could proceed but with restrictions, such as no musical performances and a minute of silence before kickoff. A similar uncertainty surrounds matches in the lower leagues, including the Betclic 1st League, where games like Warta Poznań vs. Kotwica Kołobrzeg, GKS Tychy vs. Polonia Warszawa, and Pogoń Siedlce vs. Arka Gdynia may also face cancellation.
Interestingly, the Italian Serie A has decided to cancel all matches scheduled for April 26, which might serve as a guideline for Polish organizers. The death of Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for over a decade, has sparked a wave of sadness and reflection across Poland. His pontificate was marked by appeals for peace, concern for the poor, and a commitment to addressing the climate crisis, making him a beloved figure to many Poles.
The national mourning, announced for the day of the funeral, is not just a formal gesture but a sign of respect for the Pope, who has left a lasting impact on the hearts of the faithful. During this period, state flags on public buildings will be flown at half-mast, and public institutions will limit entertainment activities.
On the day of the Pope's death, April 22, Ekstraklasa matches proceeded as planned, but each game was preceded by a minute of silence. This shows the deep respect and sorrow felt by the nation during this period of mourning.
President Duda's announcement regarding the national mourning on April 26 was confirmed by Wojciech Kolarski, head of the President's International Policy Bureau, who stated that the presidential decree requires the Prime Minister's countersignature and will be submitted to the Chancellery of the Prime Minister. The national mourning is expected to impact sporting events that day, with many wondering how it will affect the football matches scheduled in Poland.
As discussions continue, sports associations are waiting for specific information regarding the mourning regulations. If the President imposes a ban on mass gatherings, the matches in the PKO Ekstraklasa, as well as those in the Betclic 1st and 2nd Leagues, will need to be rescheduled. If no such ban is enforced, the matches will take place as originally planned.
Jan Grabiec, head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, emphasized that the government will not interfere in the organization of sports events on the day of national mourning. The decision to cancel or proceed with the matches will be made independently by the sports associations. This means that organizations such as the Polish Football Association or the Polish Volleyball Federation will determine whether the scheduled matches in the PKO Ekstraklasa or PlusLiga will occur.
As the nation mourns the loss of Pope Francis, it remains to be seen how the events of April 26 will unfold. The deep respect for the Pope's legacy is palpable, and the decisions made in the coming days will reflect the sentiments of the Polish people as they navigate this period of grief and remembrance.
