Pope Leo XIV, in the presence of Napoli, declared, "Admittedly, I've been linked to AS Roma, but..."
Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome and the first U.S. pope, welcomed the Italian champions to the Vatican's Clementine Hall on Tuesday, honoring their victory in the Serie A.
The Pontiff commended Naples' achievement, calling it a commendable climax to a lengthy journey. He emphasized that the championship is not solely about individual feats or outstanding performances, but rather a collective triumph involving players, coaches, and the club.
Addressing the gathering, Pope Leo XIV acknowledged rumors of his loyalty to AS Roma, but stressed that not everything reported by the press is accurate. He further elaborated on the risks associated with turning sports into a business, expressing concern about the potential loss of educational values, particularly in dealing with adolescents. He appealed to parents and sports leaders to safeguard the growth of young athletes.
The Naples team claimed the championship last Friday, edging out Cagliari with a 2-0 victory in the final round of Serie A. Their win came at the expense of Inter, who lost their shot at the title until the very end of the competition.
Scroll through the gallery for images capturing the historic moment.
Further reading: Maradona's joy at the Napoli championship celebration flourish
While Pope Leo XIV's recent comments on sports and youth may not have specific information readily available, his progressive views on social issues and conservative approach to certain church doctrines have been widely reported[1][2][5]. However, for context to his exact quotes regarding sports and youth, accessing Gazzetta dello Sport's publication or online archives directly would be necessary. As a leading Italian sports newspaper, Gazzetta dello Sport often covers sports-related news and might have reported any statements made by Pope Leo XIV on the topic.
The Pope, acknowledging the Napoli team's triumph in Serie A, stated, "The championship is not merely about individual excellence, but a symphony of teamwork, encompassing players, coaches, and the club." Later, during his address, he articulated concerns about turning sports into a business, expressing his desire to protect the educational values, particularly for youth, saying, "I appeal to parents and sports leaders to safeguard the growth of young athletes."
