Soccer Stars Send Messages of Support to Pope Francis Amid Hospital Stay
Leading soccer figures, including Neymar and ivan Rakitic, have conveyed messages of support and prayers for Pope Francis, who was hospitalized at the Gemelli Policlinic in Rome on Feb. 14.the athletes’ video messages were shared on the Instagram profile of “We Play for Peace,” a sports initiative supporting the Scholas Occurrentes programs.
Neymar, Rakitic Voice Solidarity
Brazilian soccer star Neymar offered words of encouragement to Pope Francis, saying, “I am here to wish you much strength in this moment and to send you a big hug with much affection and also my prayers, may God be with you.” Ivan Rakitic added, “Dear Pope, I am Ivan Rakitic, I wanted to send you a message of great encouragement and much strength. Know that you are not alone in this battle.”

Argentine Soccer Club Joins Well-Wishers
The pope’s favorite soccer team, san Lorenzo, from Argentina, through its captain, Iker Munian. conveyed their best to the Pope: “Dear Pope Francis, from here, from your home, from your club, from your beloved San Lorenzo, we send you a strong embrace.We wish you a speedy recovery and we will wait for you here. Italian coach and former soccer player Ciro Ferrara , encourages Francesco citing Saint Augustine: “Those who love peace should be praised; those who hate it should not be provoked by reproof. He who truly loves peace also loves the enemies of peace.”
“We Play for peace” Initiative
The messages are part of the “We Play for Peace” initiative supporting Scholas Occurrentes. The initiative has organized three “Partita per la Pace” (Match for Peace) events (2014, 2016 and 2022), featuring over 150 athletes to promote peace and fraternity. other notable figures who have joined the initiative include Andrea Pirlo, Sebastian Frey, Pibe Valderrama, Cristian Zaccardo, Shota Arveladze, Ricardo Lopez, and Claudio Tapia, President of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and many others.
The Partita per la Pace is an interreligious and charitable initiative,wanted and promoted by the Pope,with the aim of promoting the values of peace and fraternity together with the great stars of football. This event contributes to the support of the various programs of the Scholas Occurrentes institution, which aims to promote education and social inclusion.
**How does the “We Play for Peace” initiative leverage the global reach of soccer stars to promote peace and fraternity?** (This question focuses on the *Action* aspect of PAA by asking how a specific initiative uses influence to achieve a goal.)
soccer Stars Send messages of Support to Pope Francis Amid Hospital Stay
Leading soccer figures, including Neymar and ivan Rakitic, have conveyed messages of support and prayers for Pope Francis, who was hospitalized at the Gemelli Policlinic in Rome on Feb. 14.the athletes’ video messages were shared on the Instagram profile of “We Play for Peace,” a sports initiative supporting the Scholas Occurrentes programs.
neymar, Rakitic Voice Solidarity
Brazilian soccer star Neymar offered words of encouragement to Pope Francis, saying, “I am here to wish you much strength in this moment and to send you a big hug with much affection and also my prayers, may God be with you.” Ivan Rakitic added, “Dear Pope, I am ivan Rakitic, I wanted to send you a message of great encouragement and much strength. Know that you are not alone in this battle.”
Argentine Soccer Club Joins Well-Wishers
The pope’s favorite soccer team, san Lorenzo, from Argentina, through its captain, Iker Munian. conveyed their best to the Pope: “Dear Pope Francis,from here,from your home,from your club,from your beloved San Lorenzo,we send you a strong embrace.We wish you a speedy recovery and we will wait for you here. Italian coach and former soccer player Ciro Ferrara , encourages Francesco citing Saint Augustine: “Those who love peace should be praised; those who hate it should not be provoked by reproof. He who truly loves peace also loves the enemies of peace.”
“We Play for peace” Initiative
The messages are part of the “We Play for Peace” initiative supporting Scholas Occurrentes.The initiative has organized three “Partita per la Pace” (Match for Peace) events (2014, 2016 and 2022), featuring over 150 athletes to promote peace and fraternity. other notable figures who have joined the initiative include Andrea Pirlo, Sebastian Frey, Pibe Valderrama, cristian Zaccardo, Shota Arveladze, Ricardo Lopez, and Claudio Tapia, President of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and many others.
The Partita per la Pace is an interreligious and charitable initiative,wanted and promoted by the Pope,with the aim of promoting the values of peace and fraternity together with the great stars of football. This event contributes to the support of the various programs of the Scholas Occurrentes institution, which aims to promote education and social inclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions about Soccer Stars’ Support for Pope Francis
Why are soccer stars sending messages to Pope Francis?
Pope Francis was recently hospitalized in Rome. Leading soccer figures, known for their global influence, are expressing their support and prayers for his recovery. This is a common practice to show solidarity and support for public figures during times of illness.
what is “We Play for Peace”?
“We Play for Peace” is a sports initiative that supports the Scholas Occurrentes programs, which are educational and social inclusion programs. It organizes events like the “Partita per la Pace” (Match for Peace) to promote peace and fraternity through sports. The initiative has hosted three matches in 2014, 2016 and 2022.
Which soccer stars are involved?
Notable soccer stars who have shown their support or participated in the “We Play for Peace” initiative include Neymar, Ivan Rakitic, Ronaldinho, Andrea Pirlo, Sebastian Frey, Pibe Valderrama, Cristian Zaccardo, Shota Arveladze, Ricardo Lopez, Claudio Tapia and many others.
what is the “Partita per la Pace”?
The “Partita per la Pace” (Match for Peace) is an interreligious and charitable event promoted by Pope Francis. It brings together soccer stars to promote the values of peace and fraternity, and to support the Scholas Occurrentes programs.
what is Pope Francis’ favorite soccer team?
Pope Francis’ favorite soccer team is San Lorenzo from Argentina. The team’s captain, Iker Munian, has sent a message of support and well-wishes.
How can I show support for Pope Francis?
You can send messages of support through official channels, pray for his recovery, or learn more about the Scholas Occurrentes programs and the values of peace and fraternity that the Pope and the “We Play for Peace” initiative champion. Moreover, you can follow the example of the soccer stars and spread messages of hope.
The outpouring of support from the soccer world highlights the Pope’s global reach and the importance of peace. Learn more about Scholas occurrentes and ways you can contribute to their mission of peace and fraternity.