Pope Leo XIV Welcomes Napoli After Fourth Serie A Title, Warns Against Sports Commercialization

Pope Leo XIV welcomed the newly crowned Serie A champions Napoli to the Vatican, congratulating them on their fourth league title and emphasizing the importance of teamwork in their success. Addressing rumors about his soccer allegiances, the American pope playfully denied being a Roma fan, a rival of Napoli, and expressed his genuine interest in Italian football. During the audience, Napoli's president presented Leo with a signed No. 10 jersey, symbolizing the team's most talented player, a number famously worn by Diego Maradona. The pope highlighted the educational and moral value of sports, warning that when sport becomes solely a business, it risks losing its positive influence, especially on young people. He praised the collective effort of players, coaches, and staff in achieving the championship, underscoring that victories are the result of team spirit rather than individual exploits. The event was also marked by reflections on the social impact of football and the pope's blessings to the team and club officials.