Pope Leo XIV questions rumors of supporting Roma during Napoli visit
- Pope Leo XIV expressed uncertainty about rumors of his support for Roma during a meeting with Napoli players.
- Napoli's president presented a special No. 10 jersey to the pope, an homage to the club's legendary player, Diego Maradona.
- The pope emphasized the social value of sports and the need for moral considerations in competitive athletics.
In Vatican City, Pope Leo XIV recently held an audience with the newly crowned Italian soccer champions Napoli, amid questions surrounding his potential allegiance to an Italian soccer club. It has been previously established that the pope is a fan of the Chicago White Sox and enjoys tennis, but his stance regarding Italian soccer teams has remained unclear. During the visit, the pope addressed rumors suggesting he is a supporter of AS Roma, a rival of Napoli. Leo indicated that the media's portrayals are not always accurate, highlighting that not everything in the press should be taken as truth. His comments coincided with Napoli’s significant achievement of clinching its fourth Serie A title, a noteworthy accomplishment that was celebrated in the Clementine Hall of the Vatican. The team’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, presented the pope with a Napoli jersey, specifically a No. 10 shirt, famously worn by the legendary Diego Maradona during his time with the team. The pope appeared receptive to the gathering, even showing familiarity with Napoli's coach, Antonio Conte, whom he recognized from television. This interaction demonstrates Leo’s engagement with sports culture, particularly the impact of soccer in Italy. The pope took the opportunity to discuss the societal implications of Napoli's championship victory, emphasizing the unifying aspect of sports. He remarked on the importance of collective effort and teamwork, where individuals contribute their talents for a greater purpose. As sports are exceedingly popular in Italy and across the world, Leo underscored that achievements like Napoli's represent a more profound societal value beyond mere athletic performance. The gathering allowed him to reflect on how pivotal soccer is in fostering community spirit, especially in a football-loving nation like Italy. Amid the celebratory atmosphere, Leo also communicated a concern regarding the commercialization of sports, warning that such commercialization might overshadow the educational values inherent in athletic participation. He appealed to parents and sports officials to emphasize the importance of moral qualities in competitive sports, lest the focus on business compromise the positive developmental aspects of sports for young people. This public address signifies the pope's desire to advocate for sportsmanship that nourishes the humane growth and ethical integrity of participants, a reflection of his broader mission to champion moral values in all spheres of life.