On September 16, Marcelo Moretti, president of San Lorenzo de Almagro – a team supported by the Holy Father – visited Pope Francis and asked for his blessing for the new stadium to bear his name.

Pope's consent

Moretti arrived at the Vatican to meet with the Pope, bringing several gifts, including a jersey of René Pontoni, a player admired by the Pope from the championship team of 1946. The Pope signed one of the jerseys and returned it to Moretti, so it could return to the club and become part of the sporting community's heritage.

During a nearly 40-minute conversation, San Lorenzo’s directors asked for the Pope's blessing to name the new stadium at Av. La Plata 1702 after him. The project has already been approved by the club’s Board and Assembly.

Important meeting

In early September, the club's board met in Madrid with representatives of the IDOM company to finalize the preliminary design details for the new stadium. This is a significant step in the ambitious project to build a new facility in Boedo. During the meeting, the directors worked to establish the main guidelines for the project and set timelines for the start of construction. This is not the first contact between the two parties, as the club had already consulted with the Spanish firm, known for its sports architecture projects worldwide, several years ago.

© IDOM / CA San Lorenzo de Almagro

Handling the paperwork

The relationship between San Lorenzo and IDOM will be formalized in the coming days when both parties sign the final contract, officially starting the project. At the same time, as the architectural and design aspects progress, the club is continuing to secure the necessary permits to begin work on the Avenida La Plata site. San Lorenzo is also in the process of acquiring 8,000 m² of land still occupied by a local supermarket.

Additionally, the necessary demolition permits for the existing structures are awaited. The project calls for the complete clearing of the site to make way for the stadium, which will not only serve as a football venue but also as a symbol of the neighborhood's identity and a gathering place for the Boedo community. Expectations are high, as this is a long-awaited dream for fans who see it as the culmination of the historic Vuelta a Boedo, which began over a decade ago.

A venue for the entire community

The new San Lorenzo football stadium, with a capacity of 45,000 spectators, will be based on a transparent design reminiscent of El Nuevo Gasómetro. Elements of local pride, icons, notable figures, and historical moments, represented by murals from the Boedo art group, will be incorporated into the new spaces.

According to the club’s official statement: The new CASLA stadium in Boedo, true to its origins and history, will not just be a building, but an integral part of the neighborhood. The proposal also includes 12,000 m² of open and green public space and the creation of three large plazas to meet the demand for new green spaces in Boedo.

© IDOM / CA San Lorenzo de Almagro