The Argentinian superstar soccer player, Lionel Messi, alongside his national teamates, will meet Pope Francis at the Vatican just before a friendly soccer match in honor of the Holy Father.
On August 13, Messi and the rest of the Argentine national soccer team, the Italian national squad will meet the Pope at the Clementine Hall of the Vatican.
As reported by sports website, El Gráfico, this meeting will be held in camera, and even the reporters who usually follow the Pope in his daily activities won't be allowed to attend.
This will be a totally private encounter between the Pope and the players. "The Pope Francis will meet privately with the Argentinian and Italian national soccer teams, but he won't attend the match which will take place at the Olympic Stadium", said Federico Lombardi, spokeman of the Vatican.
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The idea for this match, according to aciprensa, came shortly after the election of the Pope, whose real name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio, at the initiative of both, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), and the Argentine Football Association (AFA).
The tribute match will be held next wednesday August 14 at Olympic Stadium in Rome, and although it is well known that the Pope likes soccer and is a fan of the Argentinian club San Lorenzo de Almagro, spokeman Lombardi said the Holy Father won't attend as many expected.
On the other hand, Julio Grondona, president of the Argentine Football Association, will deliver a present for Pope Francis and a letter where he will present detailed information about the organization he leads and its activities, particularly those relating to give support to youth.
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