Pope Leo XIV receives Inter Milan squad at Vatican

Pope Leo XIV meets with players and management from Inter Milan, winners of this season's Italian Serie A soccer league, during a private audience at the Vatican on Saturday (May 9).

Pope addressed the newly crowned Champions of Italy and shared in the joy of their sporting achievement, while urging them not to stop there, but to "reflect on the experience they have lived", in order to bring the young people "a useful message" for their growth.

“Many of them, at this time, look to you as their heroes, as role models to emulate, and this entrusts you with a responsibility that goes beyond performance and calls upon you, as sportsmen, to be witnesses to values,” the Pope said.

Pope recalled Inter's meeting in 1991 with Saint John Paul II, as the then Pontiff had highlighted the important role of the Nerazzurri club in Italian football history and had entrusted the players with a responsibility to keep firmly in mind — "Ensure that many people can recognize in you and in your conduct authenticity and unwavering integrity."

Inter’s president and chief executive Giuseppe Marotta, vice president Javier Zanetti, owners Oaktree, the board, the manager, the squad and the entire staff greeted the Pope and received his blessing.

Marotta also presented the Pope with a historic personalized Inter shirt bearing the number 10 and the name LEONE XIV.

 

𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗽 ↓