Vatican City, April 21, 2025 (AFP) - The beautiful game: Pope Francis's passion for football

NAMPA / AFP

2025-04-21

His predecessor loved Mozart, but Pope Francis's passion was football, for him "the most beautiful game" and also a vehicle to educate and spread peace. From Argentine compatriots Lionel Messi and the late Diego Maradona to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gianluigi Buffon, Francis received the greatest stars of football at the Vatican, signing dozens of shirts and balls from around the world. He often recounted playing as a young boy on the streets of Bue......

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