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The world of sports mourns the death of Argentine soccer player Diego Armando Maradona, considered by many to be the best player of all time, but a man of many weaknesses. Pope Francis recalls “with affection” the meetings of 2014, on the occasion of the “Party for Peace”, and after 2015, as part of the initiatives and projects of “Scholas Occurentes”
Amedeo Lomonaco and Benedetta Capelli – Vatican City
Pope Francis, informed of the death of Diego Maradona, “looks with affection at the occasions of encounter in recent years and remembers him in prayer, as he has done in the last days since he learned of his state of health.” Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican Press Office, communicates this to journalists at night.
From Buenos Aires to Naples, the 1986 World Cup and two championships
From the dusty outskirts of Buenos Aires to the alleys of Naples. The sporting epic of Maradona, who reached the top of the world with his national team in 1986, is the history of football. His goal against England with a memorable slalom between the rivals is history, which came after the goal with a punch renamed “Hand of God”. His triumphs in Naples are also part of history, where he won two championships, in 1987 and 1990, and a Uefa Cup. His goals, sons of excellent technique and an unmatched left foot, are inherited from generations of athletes. His plays are the highest expression of football, which combines inspiration with agility, the decisive flash with an extraordinary vision of the game. Brazilian Pelé, another absolute phenomenon in soccer history, commented on the news of Maradona’s death with these words: “It’s sad to lose friends like this. I’m sure one day we’ll play soccer together in heaven.” “I have lost a dear friend, and the world has lost a legend. There is much more to say, but for now may God give strength to his family.” The president of Argentina, Alberto Fernández, announced three days of national mourning.
Extraordinary footballer, fragile man
Maradona was an extraordinary footballer but also a fragile man, with a life marked at various times by the scourge of drugs. A life that from the first cry, in the popular neighborhood of Villa Fiorito until the last moments in his house in Tigre, at the age of 60, has never separated from the love for his native land, his beloved Argentina. The same country as Pope Francis who loves soccer and is a fan of San Lorenzo de Almagro. The Pontiff was able to admire the feats of the greatest playmaker of all time. She met him and met him several times.
It was 1986 …
Just a few days ago, referring to himself in the book “Let’s Dream Again”, Francesco spoke of his stay in Germany and having lived alone in the Argentine triumph in the 1986 World Cup. A victory in the sign of Diego Armando Maradona who has delivered the World Cup to Albiceste for the second time in its history. And that number 10 shirt, “El pibe de oro”, he brought to the Vatican years later, on September 1, 2014. In the Paul VI Hall, Francis thanked the soccer champions who had joined the interfaith match for peace that was to be disputed at night. at the Olympic Stadium in Rome. A challenge entirely in the name of solidarity, organized by the “happening Scholas”, promoted by the Pope, and by the association of Xavier Zanetti, another important Argentine champion, “Fondazione Pupi Onlus”.
A ball is worth a thousand guns
Maradona’s heartfelt embrace to the Pope dates back to that time, the delivery of the shirt with the words “Francisco” and dedication: “To Pope Francis with all my love and much peace for the whole world.” To the microphones of many journalists, Diego Armando says that between the two “the true champion” is the Pope. And he confesses that he distanced himself from the Church but that he felt a deep closeness to Francis because of his care for the poor. “What did the Pope tell me? That was waiting for me ”. To the microphones of Vatican Radio, Diego Armando Maradona then send a message of peace:
R. – I think we all have …
I think we all have something in our hearts when we see war, when we see the dead … We should put many things aside and seek peace. I think this game breaks the idea that players do nothing for peace: it is the opposite! What we want is for people to realize that the best thing for everyone is peace!
So, do you think sport can contribute to peace?
R. – It is essential! It’s fundamental! I think a ball is worth more than 100 rifles …
Is essential! Is essential! I think a ball is worth more than 100 pistols. This is very clear to me! Sport is what makes you think about not harming others.
Francesco, a phenomenon
Maradona’s commitment to the “Scholas Occurentes” does not end with the 2014 Olympics match. And upon his return to Italy, the champion participates in a press conference at the Vatican Radio headquarters, where projects and initiatives are always illustrated. education and solidarity. This is the framework of a new meeting between the Pope and Maradona, who for Francis has beautiful words, full of admiration and esteem:
I’d really like to thank Francisco …
I would really like to thank Francesco for all the love he gives me. Today I think we all recognize that he is a phenomenon, that he will do something for children and that we have a fantastic Pope. We talked about many things, about the commitment of the players to come together and do something for children who do not eat in many parts of the world. And we totally agreed, but it will take a long time. Today I can say that I am a supporter of Francisco. Francesco’s first supporter is me.
The Holy Father …
The Holy Father treats me like a brother and treats everyone in the same way. Treat everyone the same: kiss everyone, hug everyone. He has little time available, he works a lot but he always finds time for everyone.
This is a dream…
What I am living is a dream. This is what I have wanted to do for a long time. I used to play soccer and today there are children who continue to play soccer, who need to buy boots, for which there is no field to play. What we want to do with Scholas is help them. And all the players, all the footballers are with Francesco.
In 2016, a phone call with the Pope
In 2016, the third edition of the Partita della pace, on October 12 funds are also raised for Amatrice, seriously injured by the earthquake, Maradona participates in the event and reveals that he has received a phone call from the Pope. “When they told me that we will also have played for the people hit by the earthquake, I thought that an initiative like this could not be missed. We will do something very big, we will raise funds to feed the children, to give our opinion on peace and to give a big hand to Pope Francis ”.
Photo gallery
Pope Francis and Diego Armando Maradona (04/09/2014)
