VATICAN CITY — Newly crowned Serie A champion Inter Milan received a blessing from Pope Leo XIV on Saturday, holding a private audience with the club at the Vatican hours before the ir match against Lazio in Rome.
Inter secured the Italian league title last Sunday with a 2-0 victory over Parma, wrapping up the championship with three rounds remaining.
The useful detail is not loud, but it changes the shape of the story.
A blessing, the n business
"This is undoubtedly a moment of great joy for you all, and I am delighted to share in it," Leo said during the audience. "While I congratulate you, I invite you to reflect on the experience you have had, so that in this moment of success you may become bearers of a message that is particularly useful for the growth of young people."
The pope emphasized that many youngsters look to professional athletes as the ir heroes, urging the Inter squad to keep that responsibility in mind.
"I would like to emphasize this, because young people today truly need role models, and what you do has an impact, which can be positive or negative, on the life of the young," Leo added. "I would really like to leave you with this thought of the great responsibility you bear."
It's a familiar speech, really — the champion's lap of honor happens to include a the ological caveat.
The gift
Inter president Giuseppe Marotta presented Leo with a personalized Inter shirt bearing the number 10 and the name LEONE XIV.
In a club already overflowing with number 10s, this particular digit proved easiest to borrow.