Francis asks football stars to be genuine role models August 14, 2013 by admin Filed under newsletter-leadLeave a CommentVatican, August 13, 2013: Pope Francis met members of the Italy and Argentina football squads at the Vatican yesterday, ahead of an exhibition match organised in honour of his Pontificate, reports The Catholic Herald. Speaking in both Italian and Spanish in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace, the Pope told the gathered players, including Argentina and Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon, that the match, to be played on Wednesday evening, will truly be a friendly one. He reminded the players that they are role models for many football fans and encouraged them to take that responsibility seriously. He then asked them to foster the “beauty, generosity, and camaraderie” that sport can produce. Pope Francis also called on players to “live your sport as a gift from God, an opportunity not only to improve your talents, but also a responsibility”.And he returned to the idea that athletes should act as role models, encouraging them to set an example of loyalty, respect, and selflessness. “I have confidence,” he said, “in all the good you can do, especially among young people.”Pope Francis concluded by praying that the athletes will continue to be able to pursue the “noble vocation” of sport – and he asked them to pray for him, too, “that in the playing field that the Lord has placed me, I can play the game honestly and courageously, for the good of all.”Speaking to reporters after their audience with the Pontiff, Messi, who will not play in the match due to injury, said the best way for the players to respond to what the Pope said was to give fans a clean and exciting game, and to live upright lives. “Without a doubt, today was one of the most special days of my life,” he said. “We have to excel on and off the field.”- cathnews
Posted on: Fri, 16 Aug 2013 11:50:57 +0000
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