The Super Bowl is one of the biggest events of the year. It’s such a cultural touchstone even Pope Francis took the opportunity to weigh in on Sunday’s New England Patriots-Atlanta Falcons showdown.
Super Bowl 2017: Pope Francis filmed message of peace and inclusion for the big game
“May this year’s Super Bowl be a sign of peace, friendship, and solidarity to the world.”
Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images
The Pope didn’t actually touch on the game itself, instead reflecting on the opportunity the sport and Super Bowl provide. Football, he reasons, brings people together by building a culture of inclusiveness and peace. Playing the sport shows how people can put aside self-interests and sacrifice in the quest for a larger goal.
Pope Francis has never been shy about his love of sports. He’s a card-carrying supporter of San Lorenzo, a storied soccer club in his home country of Argentina. His visit to Washington D.C. in 2015 netted him a custom-made D.C. United jersey. He’s also an honorary Harlem Globetrotter — one of just nine distinguished individuals to be granted that status — and has even played host to Kentucky men’s basketball head coach John Calipari.
His relationship with American football doesn’t run as deep, but he’s certainly familiar with the game. He asked the Eagles to avoid scheduling a home game during his visit to Philadelphia in 2015, prompting Mark Wahlberg to finish off a speech in front of the Pope with a quick “Go Eagles” quip. He was also presented with a signed Steelers football this fall when a western Pennsylvania archabbot made a trip out to Rome to see the leader of the Catholics.
In the end, the Pope’s message for the big game was simple.
“May this year’s Super Bowl be a sign of peace, friendship, and solidarity to the world.”
See More:
