Sport is a powerful tool to unite people. This phrase was repeated several times by Francis, who has always appealed to the athletes’ sense of responsibility, as they are influential and examples for young people.
It was well known to . There were several visits he received at the Vatican, but one of them was especially remarkable: the day he received the players from his heart club.
August 18, 2014 was one of the happiest days of Pope Francis’ life, regarding sport.
Confessed fan of San Lorenzo da Argentina, where his father had played basketball, Francisco had the joy of receiving his club at the Vatican and, more than that, the missing cup in his museum: the Libertadores Cup, that San Lorenzo had never won. This year, the club became champion of Argentina and South American champion.
The Passion for San Lorenzo
The connection to San Lorenzo was so strong that in 2008, in the year of the centenary of the club, celebrated the mass that marked the occasion, at the time as archbishop of Buenos Aires.
Francisco received many sports -related visits, especially in football. In 2014, in an interview with SIC correspondent, Henrique Cymerman, he launched the Brazilian World Championship.
In 2016, he had the opportunity to receive the world champions, the Germany team, appealing to the athletes’ sense of responsibility.
Nicknamed Maradona from a “poet on the field”
Unsurprisingly, one of the most meaningful visits was that of Diego Maradona. Admirers of each other, both had the opportunity to be together at least twice. Francisco even said that Maradona was a “poet on the field,” but also a “fragile man.”
Argentine selections from Italy, clubs around the world and even basketball teams also visited him. In 2015, Harlem Globetrotters filled the Vatican with their skills and good mood, and the team took photographs with the Pope.
Many sports linked to sports wanted to leave memories to the Pope. Benfica, at the club’s 120th anniversary celebrations, visited the Vatican, and Rui Costa had the opportunity to offer a club nightgown, named Francisco on his back.
Dolores Aveiro offered Cristiano Ronaldo jersey
In addition, Dolores Aveiro, mother of Cristiano Ronaldo, had the honor of offering the Pope a nightgown his son, who had been worn in a private game between Portugal and Argentina.
