VATICAN CITY, June 12 — Pope Francis, a keen football fan who was an amateur player in his youth in football-mad Argentina, today wished for a fraternal World Cup, hours before the premier championship kicks off in Brazil.
“I wish everyone a wonderful World Cup, played in a spirit of true fraternity,” the pontiff tweeted.
In a video message in Portuguese, transmitted by Brazilian television Rete globo, Francis also said he hoped the World Cup would mark “solidarity among peoples” who “recognise themselves as members of the unique human family.”
In the video, available on YouTube, he also said that he hoped the competition remains “a game, an occasion for dialogue, comprehension and reciprocal enrichment”.
The World Cup is “an event which goes beyond linguistic, cultural or national boundaries”, said Francis, adding that he believed there were “three keys” to success in sport: “Training, fair play and respect for your opponent.” — AFP
