Joseph Blatter (FIFA) received by Pope Francis, "an exchange between two lovers of football"

"It was a meeting between two people who love football. We discussed football, of course, but we also spoke about many other issues," said Joseph Blatter, president of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) having had a private audience with Pope Francis, in the Vatican on the 22/11/2013.

"He asked me personally to give hope to the poor through football. He also requested that we use our footballing efforts to promote, intensify and continue to strive for world peace," said the president of the international Federation.

"We greeted each other like two footballers before a game, with what is known as the “Handshake of Peace". It was the Pope’s wish that we greet each other this way. In football, this type of greeting should continue to be a sign of peace in the future, but above all, a message of peace to the world," said Joseph Blatter.

Pope Francis, who has been a lifelong supporter of San Lorenzo (ARG), still pays his monthly contribution to the Buenos Aires club. While receiving the Italian and Argentinian national team players on the 13/08/2013, he reminded them…