Serie A pays tribute to John Paul II

By European Football
April 3 2005

The normally competitive world of Serie A joined forces to pay tribute following the death of Pope John Paul II who died on Saturday after a long illness, aged 84.

The Pope who was a keen keeper in his younger days and once described sport thus:

'Sport risks to degrade man if it is not based on human virtues such as loyalty, generosity and the respect for the laws of the game which go beyond the player. Sport is also subject to risks and ambiguity, it was must be followed in the correct manner because it is part of man. Sport makes man not the other way round. Even the greatest champions need the light of Christ.'

Leading figures from the world of Serie A joined the worldwide tributes with head of the Football federation Franco Carraro declaring:

'John Paul II was the Pope that choose sport and all the values it represents, he was close to youth and was held in great affection. Sport is an instrument of participation and solidarity which allows people to come together and promote peace.'

The president of CONI Gianni Pwaetrucci added: 'For us a sportsman has gone. The Pope spoke to youth and sport as one of them, his enthusiasm was very strong. He did it with enthusiasm and competence. It came from the heart. He knew sport could make a great contribution and that he alone could not overcome unemployment, war and famine.'

Football League president Adriano Galliani, said: 'Pope John Paul II did a lot for sport, taking part in it and was a man who was very sensitive and close to the world of football, who was always on the margins of great sporting events, everyone who met him had wonderful memories.'