"I ask you to that you live your sport as a gift from God, an opportunity not only to bring your talents to fruition, but also as a responsibility. Dear players, I want especially to remind you that the way you behave, both on the field and off it, in life, is an example."
Pope Francis impressed on the athletes that "the good you do makes an impression … you are a model, for good or ill, for so many people."
"Set an example of loyalty, respect and selflessness."
While Pope Francis' love for soccer is well-known – be became an honorary member of San Lorenzo in 2008 – he is only the last of a series of pontiffs who have focused pastoral attention on the value of sports.
In an interview with Bavarian Radio in 1978, Joseph Ratzinger, then the Archbishop of Munich and Freising, explained that soccer fascinates above all because "it leads the man to self-discipline", so that "through the training man gains more self control, and through self-control he gains superiority, and through superiority, freedom."
The future Benedict XVI also asserted that since soccer is played by teams, "this sport joins all players through a common goal, and the success or the failure of the single coincide with the success or the failure of the whole team."
Ratzinger's words explain very well the reason why Popes have always cared about sports.
Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the International Olympic Committee and the father of the modern Olympics, wrote in his diary that Pius X supported the candidature of the city of Rome to host the 1908 tournament.
Three years earlier, on Oct. 8, 1905, that Pope had told a group of young people that "the exercise of the body has a wonderful influence on spiritual exercise, since every exercise will distance you from idleness, and since even friendly matches will lead one to emulate the exercise of virtues."
Though the 1908 Olympics were held in London, the Games came to Rome in 1960, and athletes from all over the world gathered in St. Peter's square to receive the greeting and blessing of John XXIII.
And John Paul II took part in a soccer match between the Italian National representatives and a selection of all stars on Oct. 29, 2000 for the Jubilee of sportsmen.
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Andrea Gagliarducci is an Italian journalist for Catholic News Agency and Vatican analyst for ACI Stampa. He is a contributor to the National Catholic Register.
Carl Bunderson is the former managing editor of Catholic News Agency.