By Charles Igwe
Pope Leo XIV warmly received the newly crowned Serie A champions, SSC Napoli, on Tuesday morning in the Vatican, just days after their historic league triumph ignited celebrations across Naples and beyond.
Before delivering his prepared remarks, the Pope shared a light-hearted moment with the players, teasing them over reports that he supports AS Roma. “Perhaps that’s why you didn’t applaud me,” he joked, sparking laughter across the hall.
Turning to more serious reflections, Pope Leo congratulated Napoli for what he described as “a great celebration for all of Naples,” noting the immense joy their victory brought to the city. Over 200,000 fans had flooded the streets of Naples the day before in a jubilant victory parade, marking the club’s long-awaited league title.
The Pope emphasized the communal nature of Napoli’s success, saying that while individual talent plays a role, it is ultimately “the team—the players, the coach and staff, and the entire club—that wins the championship.” He highlighted this as the key lesson from Napoli’s victory: the power of unity and collaboration, with each person contributing their gifts to a shared goal.
Pope Leo also addressed the deeper value of sports, reminding the athletes of its educational and moral dimension. “When sport becomes purely business,” he warned, “it risks losing the values that make it a formative experience. It can even become harmful, especially for the youth.”
He urged parents and coaches to ensure that young people, especially teenagers, engage with sport in a way that shapes their character positively. “What’s at stake is the human development of young people,” he said, appealing for a renewed focus on the moral quality of the sporting journey.
The Pope concluded by thanking the Napoli delegation for their visit and once again congratulating them on their championship. With a warm smile, he added a personal touch: “A lady who’s been cooking for me recently—her name is Rosa, and she’s from Naples—told me to pass on her congratulations. She’s a big fan.”
The meeting ended with the Pope’s apostolic blessing on the players, their families, and the entire SSC Napoli community.
