Pope Leo meets Italian Serie A champions Napoli

Pope Leo XVI welcomed Italy's recently crowned Serie A champions Napoli to the Vatican connected Tuesday, joking astir his ain shot allegiances.

Napoli won their 4th "Scudetto" connected Friday with a 2-0 location triumph implicit Cagliari, edging retired Inter Milan by 1 constituent successful a nail-biting extremity to the season.

The team, captained by Italy planetary Giovanni Di Lorenzo, arrived for their papal assemblage a time aft a triumphant open-top autobus parade done cardinal Naples.

"The property says I americium an AS Roma fan, but you are welcome! This is what the property says. Not everything you work successful the property is true," the pope said, according to a transcript.

Leo, the archetypal pope to travel from the U.S., follows and plays sport, including tennis. People who cognize him person described him to the media arsenic an AS Roma supporter.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis gave him a bluish Napoli jersey signed by players, bearing the No. 10 and his sanction successful Italian, "Papa Leone XIV."

"You are a No. 10, truthful you are a large striker," De Laurentiis said. Leo replied with a chuckle and a elemental "thank you."

Coach Antonio Conte, whom De Laurentiis introduced arsenic "deeply Catholic," knelt down and kissed the Pope's hand, earlier Leo told him helium had seen him galore times connected TV.

In a abbreviated speech, the pontiff stressed the value of squad tone and collaboration, and sport's acquisition value, particularly for young people.

Winning comes "at the extremity of a agelong journey, wherever what matters the astir is not a one-time exploit oregon the bonzer show of 1 champion", helium said.

"The title is won by the team, and erstwhile I accidental 'team' I mean the players, the manager with the full squad, and the club," helium added.

Leo ended his remarks giving his blessings to players and nine officials, and offering congratulations, besides connected behalf of his idiosyncratic cook.

"She is from Naples and she says: champion wishes! She would similar to beryllium present too, Mrs Rosa, [she is] a large fan," the Pope said.