Napoli’s joyous celebrations continued in style as the newly crowned Serie A champions were received at the Vatican on Tuesday for a special audience with Pope Leo XIV. The team, fresh off their dramatic title win, enjoyed a warm reception from the pontiff, who humorously addressed rumors about his own football loyalties.
Having secured their fourth Scudetto with a 2-0 victory over Cagliari on the final day of the season, Napoli edged out Inter by a single point in a tightly contested race. The players, still buzzing from an exuberant open-top bus parade through the streets of Naples, made their way to the Vatican to meet with the pope, who has gained a reputation for being engaged with the sporting world.
As the players and club officials gathered, Pope Leo welcomed them with good humor and light-heartedness. Responding to persistent speculation about his supposed allegiance to AS Roma, he joked, “The press says I am an AS Roma fan, but you are welcome! This is what the press says. Not everything you read in the press is true.” The moment drew laughs from those in attendance, setting the tone for a cordial and memorable meeting.
The squad, captained by Italy international Giovanni Di Lorenzo and featuring standout midfielder Scott McTominay who has been hailed as the player of the season presented the pope with a special gift. Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis handed over a blue Napoli shirt, signed by the team and emblazoned with the No 10 and the name “Papa Leone XIV.” De Laurentiis added with a smile, “You are a No 10, so you are a great striker.” The pope, clearly amused, thanked him with a chuckle.
Antonio Conte, Napoli’s head coach and a devout Catholic, was introduced to the pope in a particularly heartfelt moment. Conte knelt to kiss the pope’s hand, to which Leo responded that he had seen the coach many times on television. The gesture symbolized the mutual respect between the world of football and the spiritual realm, reflecting the sense of unity and tradition that both worlds share.
In his address to the club, Pope Leo emphasized the broader significance of sport. He highlighted the values of teamwork, dedication, and perseverance, noting that triumph is the result of collective effort rather than individual brilliance. “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, and when I say ‘team’ I mean the players, the coach with the whole squad, and the club.”
He concluded by offering his blessings to the team and its staff, extending his congratulations not only personally but also on behalf of someone close to his heart his cook, Mrs. Rosa. “She is from Naples and she says: best wishes! She would like to be here too, Mrs. Rosa, a big fan,” he said, drawing another warm round of laughter.
The occasion marked a fitting continuation of Napoli’s historic season, underlining the club’s unity, spiritual inspiration, and national pride as they basked in the glory of their latest title triumph.
