Pope Francis held a meeting with a very special group of soccer players, the Italian National Amateur League. Through sport, they instill important values in young people.
“As a sports institution we are aware of the responsibility we have with these newer generations.”
In order to celebrate their 60-year anniversary they visited Pope Francis, who is a big soccer fan. This organization brings together more than 1 million participants.
In his speech, the pope expressed his gratitude for the work they do with young people. He especially emphasized lessons on playing fair in both sports and everyday life.
POPE FRANCIS
“For this reason, try to introduce into the social fabric, through the thousands of relationships that you experience in the field of sport, a spirit of solidarity, of concern for people, which your League inspires in a praiseworthy and explicit way.”
Pope Francis asked them to continue promoting inclusivity through soccer so no one feels excluded or marginalized, especially when divisions seem to be more common.
POPE FRANCIS
“This mentality of solidarity, which we want to grow within us, in our circles and in our world, will contribute to the cultural revolution we hope for. We seek to achieve it when promoting environmental sustainability, or encouraging the creation of fields without boundaries, or striving to overcome all the walls that unfairly divide people. Promoting the involvement and enhancement of all, in accordance with a team spirit, that is the true hope of humanity.”
The event, of course, ended with gifts for the pope. They were a soccer ball and a jersey with his name on it.
