Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Monday. Throughout his papacy, he met numerous sporting icons who shared his love for football. Here’s a look at the football icons who had the honour of meeting the late Pope over the years. (Pic: File Pic/AFP)
Updated On: 2025-04-21 07:05 PM IST
Compiled by : Sujay Shivalkar
Pope Francis passed away two months after he was hospitalised for being diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia
(Pic: File Pic)
In 2013, Pope Francis received a football from Italy's then national team's skipper Gianluigi Buffon at the Vatican on August 13. On August 14 that year, a friendly football match was scheduled to be played between Argentina and Italy
(Pic: AFP)
On the same date, the late spiritual leader also received an olive tree from global football star and Argentina legend, Lionel Messi, ahead of his side's friendly match against Italy's national football team
(Pic: AFP)
On October 12, 2016, legendary football player Diego Maradona greeted the Pope at the Vatican City ahead of the 'United for Peace' charity football match
(Pic: AFP)
Former Swedish footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic also met the late spiritual leader on December 14, 2021. The footballer shared a post on his official social media handle, which read, "Peace and Love @franciscus"
(Pic: Instagram/iamzlatanibrahimovic)
