Inside Pope Francis' love of football: The self-confessed admirer of 'The Beautiful Game' rubbed shoulders with Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Pep Guardiola - and had a three-word label to describe Diego Maradona
Pope Francis is being mourned all over the world following his death at the age of 88, with football paying its own tribute to the Argentine.
Just minutes after his passing was confirmed on Monday morning, Italy's Serie A confirmed they had postponed all of their matches scheduled for Easter Monday as a mark of respect for the late Pope.
It is a fitting tribute for a man who adored 'The Beautiful Game'.
Hailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Pope was a lifelong supporter of his local team, San Lorenzo, and he was delighted to receive a club shirt back in 2013.
As he rose to power, he also got the chance to meet some of his country's footballing heroes.
They don't come much bigger than the great Diego Maradona, and the pair met at the Vatican in 2014, six years before the iconic footballer died at the age of 60.
The Pope also exchanged gifts with Lionel Messi and Gianluigi Buffon in 2013 when they visited the Vatican
The Pope met legendary manager Pep Guardiola in 2014 when he was in charge of Bayern Munich
The Pope held a private audience with Guardiola and his team, and was clearly delighted to meet them
He was even given a signed Champions League ball that he was seen clutching gleefully
He also met Germany's players - including Thomas Muller (left) - two years after their 2014 World Cup triumph
The Pope remembered Maradona in his prayers following his death, and referred to him as the 'poet of soccer' after his incredible career that saw him lead Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986.
If anyone can match Maradona's achievements on a football pitch it is his fellow countryman Lionel Messi who also got the chance to share the Pope's company.
Alongside goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon, Messi and the Pope exchanged gifts back in 2013, and Messi would lead Argentina to the World Cup final the following year. Eight years after that, Messi got his nation over the line as Argentina lifted the World Cup for the third time in Qatar in 2022.
During his 12 years in the Vatican, the Pope was more than happy to welcome some of the sport's biggest stars into his home.
He greeted Pep Guardiola during a private audience with his Bayern Munich team in 2014, and Germany's players - including Thomas Muller - visited him in 2016, two years after winning the World Cup.
As he spent a considerable part of his life in Italy, it is no surprise that the Pope also rubbed shoulders with some of the nation's greatest footballers.
He welcomed ex-Man City striker Mario Balotelli to the Vatican in 2013, and was happy to pose for photos with Buffon and Andrea Pirlo when the pair visited him a year later.
He was happy to pose for photos with Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo, who won the World Cup together in 2006
Buffon, who was known for his safe hands, was ecstatic when he handed over a signed ball to the Pope
The Pope received a personalised shirt from another Italian icon, Alessandro Del Piero, in 2014
The Pope also rubbed shoulders with Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho as he supported a charity event in 2022
He was on hand to watch a Children's Day event in Rome last year, shortly before he was taken unwell
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers presented the Pope with a signed club shirt when he visited him in 2023
Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis gave the Pope a signed shirt when he got the chance to meet him in 2023
The Pope saw the fun side of football, and played a game of table football back in 2021
He guided the ship at the Vatican for 12 years, and was given a captain's armband when he attended the Clericus Cup in 2019
He also got presented with a ball at the match at St Peter's Square in the Vatican
The Pope was also gifted a shirt that read 'Papa Francesco' by Juventus icon Alessandro Del Piero.
Charity work was also close to the Pope's heart, and this led to him receiving a special shirt with his name on it from Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho ahead of a match to raise funds in 2022.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers then handed him a shirt signed by all the players in 2023, with the Pope more than happy to take it as he embraced football until his dying day.
Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis presented him with a club shirt in the same year, but it did not change the Pope's loyalties. It was always San Lorenzo that had his heart.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
18 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Eberechi Eze gets on his bike as England's World Cup preparations heat up
Eberechi Eze has opened up on the punishing training sessions at England's warm-weather camp here that Thomas Tuchel believes will prepare the players for the heat of the World Cup next summer. Tuchel and his squad are at the exclusive Camiral Golf & Wellness resort, partly to prepare for the qualifier against Andorra in Barcelona on Saturday. But the focus since Monday has been to look at the bigger picture, which has involved monitoring the reaction of the players to extreme temperatures – with the help of biometric tablets and innovative sports-science methods. The players have been asked to take a tablet and cycle for 45 minutes at a consistent level inside a tent that has been heated to a minimum of 35C. The Football Association's experts have been able to track their core body temperatures under stress – with the idea being that it will inform how they manage them at the finals in the US, Canada and Mexico. Eze, who finished the domestic season on a high with the winner for Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, said it was the first time he had seen such an approach in training. 'It was quite difficult to do,' he said. 'It was taking the tablets and you had to be on the bike for 45 minutes, which is a long time to be on a bike. 'You had to keep going and they monitored your heart rate, your actual temperature. It was just understanding and it was definitely helpful … a bit of an insight into yourself and how you will cope in those situations.' Cole Palmer, the Chelsea midfielder, said: 'It was tough. It was 35C, 36C inside the tents and we had to get to a certain watts [level] on the bike and maintain it. For 45 minutes.' Eze has been on fire since he scored his first England goal in the 3-0 victory against Latvia in late March, which was Tuchel's second game in charge. The first was the 2-0 win against Albania three days before. Tuchel has talked about the goal having inspired Eze, who went back to Palace and finished the season with nine in 13 matches. The one that will always be remembered was against City to secure Palace's first major trophy and a place in the Europa League, although there is a complication on that front because of the majority stake that the club's co-owner, John Textor, holds in Lyon. The Ligue 1 club have also qualified for the Europa League. Uefa's rules forbid individuals from being involved with more than one club in the same competition to avoid conflicts of interest. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion 'I really hope that Palace do get the reward because of what it took to actually achieve that,' Eze said. 'It would be a huge shame if that was not the case but I'm trusting that it will work out in the end. It should work itself out because there's players who have worked to be in this position. There are fans who have been with the team throughout the whole season and experienced everything. 'The main thing for me after the FA Cup win … when we were leaving the stadium, when we were on the [open-top bus] parade was looking at the fans' faces and seeing people in tears and people overwhelmed by what we've done. That's something that will live with me for ever.' The FA has announced that Lee Carsley has signed a two-year contract extension with the England Under-21s. The manager is preparing to lead the team at the European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia this month, having won the tournament in 2023.
Powys County Times
20 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Chelsea complete signing of Liam Delap from Ipswich
Chelsea have signed striker Liam Delap from Ipswich on a deal until until 2031 after triggering his £30million release clause. An agreement was reached between the clubs last week for the England under-21 international, who becomes the Blues' first summer signing and can join immediately due to FIFA's 10-day June transfer window. That will enable him to take part in the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States, though if he travels with the team it will means he will miss the European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia. It's official. ✍️ — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 4, 2025 The 22-year-old said on the club's official website: 'I understand the stature of this club and can see the trajectory it is on with these players and the head coach. 'It's going to be an incredible place for me to develop and I hope to achieve amazing things here and help the club win more trophies.' Chelsea reportedly fended off interest from Manchester United, with the lack of European football next season for the Old Trafford side understood to be a factor in the player's decision to pick west London. Enzo Maresca's side will play in the Champions League after finishing fourth in his first season in charge, the first time the club has qualified for Europe's top competition since 2022. Delap's signing means the pair will be reunited after working together with Manchester City's under-23 team while Maresca was in charge during the 2020/21 season, and latterly with the senior squad when the Italian was assistant to Pep Guardiola. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) Delap made only six first-team appearances for City, scoring once, before loan spells with Stoke, Preston and Hull. Despite Ipswich's relegation from the Premier League, which made his release clause active, he adapted quickly to the top flight by scoring 12 times in his first full season in the division – comfortably his best goal return – having spent most of his senior career in the Championship. Chelsea have been stretched thin in attack this season, with injuries to Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu leaving the team without a fit striker for periods of the campaign. Of those two, only Jackson has scored in the Premier League and the need for credible competition and support for the Senegal international has long been apparent.
Scottish Sun
26 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
The six burning issues Russell Martin faces as Rangers boss including Tavernier as skipper and Butland's future
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RUSSELL MARTIN is on the brink of being appointed Rangers' new boss. The one-time Ibrox defender looks set to replace Philippe Clement — almost four months after the Belgian was axed and Barry Ferguson installed as caretaker. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 2 He is set to be named the new manager Credit: Alamy SunSport first revealed on February 24 that 29-cap ex-Scotland defender Martin was in the frame to land the job. Now we look at six burning issues the new manager will need to address as he seeks to turn around the fortunes of the team. THE GOALKEEPER This time last year, Clement claimed every player in the Rangers squad was for sale — apart from Jack Butland. It wasn't a statement which aged well. Clement was sacked in February as Gers trailed Celtic in the league. And former England No 1 Butland was guilty of several high-profile errors. After one mistake too many — in a 2-0 home defeat to Hibs in April — the 32-year-old was dropped to the bench by interim boss Fergie. Liam Kelly grabbed the gloves, only to miss the last two games of the campaign through injury. But who will start between the sticks for the first Champions League qualifier on July 22? It's a big call. THE CAPTAIN James Tavernier has won the Premiership title, Scottish Cup and Premier Sports Cup — as well as skippering Gers in a Europa League final. He's scored more than 100 goals, provided more than 100 assists, and earned a place in the Ibrox Hall of Fame after a decade of service. But he still splits the Rangers fan base and those impressive numbers took a decided dip last season as Gers toiled and Tavernier moved beyond his 33rd birthday. An untimely injury to Dujon Sterling probably means Tav will start next term at right-back — but the next boss must decide how long he can go on. Rangers fans react as 49ers takeover completed THE DEFENCE Leon Balogun has been released, Robin Propper looks set to be returning to FC Twente, and loan stars Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Rafa Fernandes are back at their parent clubs. It leaves John Souttar as the only recognised first-team central defender — and the Scotland ace has just one year left on his Ibrox contract. With Ridvan Yilmaz again linked with a return to former club Besiktas and Jefte yet to convince, left-back could be another area of concern for the new boss. Gers shipped way too many goals last term, just one clean sheet in their last 14 domestic games, so the backline clearly needs some repair. THE MIDFIELD Ferguson finished the last campaign with on-form Nico Raskin in the engine room, alongside Mo Diomande and Connor Barron. On the face of it, the new man in the dugout could elect to stick rather twist — as Raskin's form has swept him into the Belgium team, while Barron could make a Scotland debut over the next four days. But Everton are keen on Diomande, while that good form could attract interest in the Belgian. Given the new broom sweeping through Ibrox, the club's American owners are sure to look closely at their player trading model. Lyall Cameron is arriving from Dundee and will inject attacking impetus, so maybe this is one position where Gers have less work to do than in others. THE FLANKS Vaclav Cerny was a roaring success last term but, like Abdallah Sima 12 months earlier, he's done so well that he's moved beyond Gers' reach for a permanent deal. 2 Vaclav Cerny became a fan favourite at Ibrox Credit: Willie Vass Ianis Hagi and Tom Lawrence also left at the end of their deals, and Nedim Bajrami scarcely endeared himself to the Ibrox faithful. Gers have a £4.5million obligation to sign Oscar Cortes permanently from Lens, but that would account for almost a quarter of the £20m being handed over by Andrew Cavenagh. Time to look for escape loopholes. In short, Gers need pace in wide areas and the kind of penetration they lacked last term as they toiled to break down low blocks. THE GOALS Maybe the most intriguing decision of all will come in the most important position of all — No 9. Cyriel Dessers left topped the Premiership scoring charts with 18 goals, netting more in the league than Daizen Maeda, Sam Dalby and Simon Murray. Rookie Hamza Igamane impressed in flashes with 16 in all competitions, including that spectacular late winner at Celtic Park in March. But Danilo didn't do anything to justify his £4m price tag, and every new manager tends to want his own striker on the premises. Watch this space. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
