(The Pope) is one of us. He is like a grandfather-
José Mourinho—the head coach of the Italian soccer team AS Roma—has something in common with Pope Francis: a passion for soccer.
POPE FRANCIS
This sport is important because it teaches the players about teamwork. Sports help prevent selfishness.
Rather than his typical setting of a soccer stadium press room, Coach Mourinho spoke from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He was a guest at a series of preparatory meetings for World Youth Day promoted in collaboration with the Portuguese Embassy to the Holy See.
Mourinho, like the Pope, pointed out that soccer is a school of values for young people. Something that he says some parents often forget.
JOSÉ MOURINHO
Today, who teaches how to pass the ball to a teammate? I say that with 200% guarantee, there are parents who say: don't pass to him because you have 15 goals and he has 14.
POPE FRANCIS
It's also crucial to remember that the sport plays a very important role in growth and development.
Mourinho, who often is referred to by the nickname 'The Special One,' said it is important to help today's youth deal with the excess of expectations created by social media.
JOSÉ MOURINHO
With so many unreal things that appear every day in your home, on your phone, on your iPad... Things that are a bit unreal or fake at all leves and create a certain type of expectations. For young people it can seem that 'if I don't make it, I've failed' and that's not true.
He says it is necessary to help youth face life with a sportsmanlike spirit—something that was also pointed out by Pope Francis.
POPE FRANCIS
Life is a bit like the soccer goalkeeper who grabs the ball wherever it comes from. And life should be grabbed as it comes.
After winning the 2010 Champions League, Coach Mourinho spoke about his Catholic faith in an interview with BBC. Led by prayer, he always strives to be a good man.
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