VATICAN CITY — Newly crowned Serie A champion Inter Milan received a papal blessing on Saturday, when the players, staff and directors met privately with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican before the ir match against Lazio in Rome.
Inter secured the Italian league title last Sunday with a 2-0 victory over Parma, finishing with three matches still to play.
The useful detail is not loud, but it changes the shape of the story.
The message behind the blessing
"This is undoubtedly a moment of great joy for you all, and I am delighted to share in it," Leo told the Inter delegation. "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 reminded the players that many youngsters follow the m as heroes—and urged the m to keep that responsibility in mind.
A shirt fit for a pontiff
"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."
Inter president Giuseppe Marotta presented the Pope with a personalized Inter shirt, number 10, bearing the name LEONE XIV.