VATICAN CITY — Fresh off their Serie A triumph, SSC Napoli players received a warm welcome from Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Tuesday, as the pontiff praised the values of teamwork, perseverance—and even cracked a light-hearted joke about his cook’s football loyalties.
The visit came just days after Napoli sealed their fourth Scudetto title with a tense 2-0 win over Cagliari, pipping rivals Inter Milan by a single point in one of the most thrilling finishes in recent league history.
Speaking in a brief but heartfelt address, Pope Leo XIV congratulated the entire squad and emphasized that success in sport, much like in life, is never a solo achievement.
“Winning comes at the end of a long journey, where what matters the most is not a one-time exploit or the extraordinary performance of one champion,” he said. “The championship is won by the team—the players, the coach, the whole squad, and the club.”
He highlighted the importance of sport in shaping character and teaching young people lessons in cooperation, resilience, and humility.
“Sport has a powerful educational role,” the Pope noted, calling for athletes to be role models both on and off the pitch.
Ending on a personal and playful note, the Pope relayed congratulations on behalf of his cook, Rosa, a passionate Napoli supporter.
“She says: best wishes! She would like to be here too,” he quipped, drawing laughter from the team.
The gathering was not just a celebration of football, but a symbolic reminder of the values that unite sport and faith—discipline, dedication, and community.
