Pope Francis urged the players of the national teams that participate in the World Cup to play in a spirit of true fraternity.
In a message he posted to his official account on Twitter, the Pope says: “I wish everyone a wonderful World Cup, played in a spirit of true fraternity.”

Francis was born in Argentina and is known to be a fan of football. In fact, when he went to congratulate the players of his favorite team, San Lorenzo, for winning the Argentine soccer championship, the club members gave him the glove goalie Sebastian Torrico used to block the ball in the final minute of the 0-0 draw with Velez Sarsfield, securing the title.

They also gave him a red and blue team jersey with “Francisco Campeon” — Francis Champion — written on the back, which he keeps in the Vatican.