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soccer players participate in the 2014 Match for Peace in Rome's Olympic Stadium on Sept. 1, 2014.

Does faith get a yellow card at the FIFA World Cup?

Jul 6, 2018

By Courtney Mares

As a passionate soccer fan, Jennifer Bryson has been faithfully watching every game she can during the 2018 FIFA World... Read more

Pope Francis meets with Special Olympics athletes at the Vatican Oct. 13, 2017.

Celebrating 50 years, Special Olympics athletes meet with Pope Francis

Oct 13, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Friday, Pope Francis met with soccer players in the Special Olympics, commending their commitment to the promotion of inclusion... Read more

Fr. Philip Mulryne, OP, is ordained a priest by Archbishop Joseph Augustine Di Noia at a July 8 Mass in Dublin.

Ordained a priest, former Manchester United footballer's goal is Christ

Jul 10, 2017

Former Irish soccer pro Philip Mulryne was ordained a priest of the Order of Preachers, or Dominicans, on Saturday.  Read more

Pope Francis is presented with an S.S. Lazio jersey at his meeting with the Coppa Italia finalists at the Vatican, May 16, 2017.

Be champions of virtue, Pope Francis tells Coppa Italia finalists

May 16, 2017

Two opposing Italian football teams came together on Tuesday to meet in a private audience with Pope Francis, where he... Read more

Pope Francis receives a Villarreal CF jersey during his meeting with the club, Feb. 23, 2017.

Gratitude is central, Pope Francis tells Spanish footballers

Feb 24, 2017

Meeting with the members of the Spanish football team Villarreal CF on Thursday, Pope Francis stressed the importance of gratitude... Read more

Pope Francis prays with journalists on the papal flight en route to South Korea on Aug. 14, 2014.

Pope Francis offers prayer, condolences after Colombia plane crash

Nov 30, 2016

By Elise Harris

After a plane crash in Colombia claimed the lives of 71 people, including the majority of Brazil’s up and coming... Read more

A response of prayer and solidarity to the Chapecoense plane crash

Nov 29, 2016

A wave of solidarity and calls for prayer have inundated social networks and the media following Monday's crash in Colombia... Read more

Fr. Chase Hilgenbrinck. Photo

Pro-soccer player turned priest reunites with fans in Chile

May 17, 2016

With a Mass celebrated in the chapel where he used to pray, former soccer star Chase Hilgenbrinck was reunited recently... Read more

2014 CONCACAF Champions League sponsored by FIFA.

'Is anyone surprised?' A Vatican response to the FIFA soccer scandal

Jun 2, 2015

Amid the new soccer corruption scandal that has rocked the sports world, a Vatican official has called for different sectors... Read more

Pope Francis is given a San Lorenzo's jersey in St. Peter's Square on March 31, 2013.

Pope Francis talks about his soccer ‘skills’

Apr 26, 2015

Pope Francis is a well-known soccer fan. But what was unknown until now is that when he was a young boy... Read more

Soccer players participate in the 2014 Match for Peace in Rome's Olympic Stadium, Sept. 1, 2014.

Pope Francis' match for peace thrills with positive message

Sep 2, 2014

By Elise Harris

Players, singers and sponsors who participated in Pope Francis' interreligious match for peace have praised him for the idea, stating... Read more

Javier 'Pupi' Zanetti speaks to the press after a match between Argentina and USA, June 8 2008.

Soccer stars to play inter-religious friendly match for peace

Jul 15, 2014

Retired soccer star Javier “Pupi” Zanetti, who was captain of the Argentinean national team and of Inter Milan in Italy,... Read more

Msgr. Melchor Sanchez, undersecretary at the Pontifical Council for Culture, holds a sign with the hashtag in front of the Vatican.

Vatican backs a 'Pause for Peace' during World Cup final

Jul 10, 2014

By Elise Harris

The Pontifical Council for Culture has launched an effort designed to unite the world in asking for peace in warring... Read more

FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

Brazilian diocese offers foreign language Masses during World Cup

Jun 20, 2014

The Archdiocese of Belo Horizonte – one of the 12 Brazilian cities hosting World Cup matches – has announced a... Read more

Chilean bishop: World Cup should remind us of human dignity

Jun 19, 2014

The World Cup should be an opportunity to emphasize that all persons, soccer players included, have worth because of their... Read more

FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

World Cup 2014: pray for soccer players, Mexican cardinal urges

Jun 18, 2014

The Archbishop of Mexico has joined Pope Francis in calling on the World Cup to be played in an atmosphere... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square for the Italian Sporting Center's celebration of sports June 7, 2014.

May the World Cup be a 'feast of solidarity,' Pope exhorts

Jun 12, 2014

By Elise Harris

In a video message Pope Francis sent for the start of the World Cup, he outlined the importance of good... Read more

Pope Francis meets with students in Paul VI audience hall on May 31, 2014.

Argentina team travels to World Cup with huge Pope Francis photo

Jun 10, 2014

The Argentinean team playing for the World Cup is bringing with it a larger-than-life photo of the players with Pope... Read more

Pope's favorite soccer team to give him honorary jersey

Mar 20, 2013

Pope Francis' favorite soccer team in Argentina plans to send him a personalized jersey with his name on it.    Read more