The referees attended today’s general audience and, at the end, greeted the Pope personally and had a group picture taken with him.
Among the referees was Pierluigi Collina, considered by some sports publications the best in the world. He was the referee at the 2002 World Cup final between Brazil and Germany.
During the audience attended by some 12,000 pilgrims, the Holy Father also greeted the participants in the pilgrimage-marathon «St. Pio of Pietrelcina and Young People of the World,» and the managers of the Italian Soccer Federation.
«Your presence allows me to express once again the hope that sports will always be a gymnasium of authentic human formation, inspired by ethical and spiritual values,» the Pope said.
