Pope Francis tells Sampdoria: “Be a team both in football and life”

The Sampdoria players had the experience of a lifetime on Saturday afternoon, enjoying an audience with the Pope courtesy of the offices of the Vatican. The Blucerchiati delegation, led by president Massimo Ferrero, posed for a group photo in the heart of St. Peter’s Square, before sitting down with Pope Francis.

The Pontifex shared some brief but heartfelt words with the Sampdoria staff, stressing the importance of solidarity in football and life. He then greeted his guests one by one, lingering with compatriots Ricky Alvarez and Matias Silvestre.

Sampdoria chief Massimo Ferrero presented His Holiness with a Sampdoria number 1 one shirt before revealing: “It was both an honour and a privilege.”