Pope Francis called it world`s `most beautiful game` and it wasn’t tennis

Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away at the age of 88. The Vatican announced his death in a video statement on Monday.

Hailing from Argentina, a nation globally renowned for its rich footballing culture, he was no stranger to the beautiful game. To the Pope, football was not just a sport but also a tool for education and a symbol of peace.

In 2014, under his initiative, Rome’s Olympic Stadium hosted an ‘inter-religious match’ for peace. “Many say that football is the most beautiful game in the world. I think so too,” Francis declared in 2019.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Not Dhoni, this batter becomes IPL’s second leading run-getter of all time

From Lionel Messi to Diego Maradona, he had met many of football’s greatest icons at the Vatican. He often fondly recalled his childhood days playing football on the streets of Buenos Aires, using a ball made of rags. Though he admitted he was never among the best players, he frequently played as a goalkeeper. He once shared that guarding the goal gave him a sense of awareness and readiness for dangers that could come from any direction.

His deep love for the sport was inseparable from his lifelong loyalty to San Lorenzo, a club based in Buenos Aires. He frequently attended matches with his father and brothers and maintained his membership even after ascending to the papacy. His dedication sparked minor controversy when he accepted a membership card from rival club Boca Juniors, presented as part of a Vatican educational initiative.

Even in the Vatican, Francis kept up with his beloved club’s performance. A member of the Swiss Guard would regularly leave match results and league standings on his desk.

Football fans often describe the sport as their religion, and in a poetic parallel, he celebrated mass in various football stadiums around the world. French Bishop Emmanuel Gobilliard, the Vatican delegate for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, said he understood the crucial role played by football. “Whether you are an amateur or professional footballer, whether you like to watch it on television, it makes no difference: this sport is part of people`s lives,” he told AFP.

(With AFP Inputs)