Despite his recent breathing problems, Pope Francis received the Glasglow Celtic soccer team, who had just lost to the Italian Lazio team in their Champions League match.
In the meeting, the Pope gave an impromptu speech on the meaning of sports.
POPE FRANCIS
It doesn't matter whether we win or don't win. It doesn't matter. Everyone is striving to win, but victory is not the end. That could be a defeat. Victory is the whole journey of playing together, of playing as a team.
Some of the team's fans attended the General Audience after the team's private meeting. And they were even able to give the Pope a T-shirt.
AIDAN DIGNY
To see the Pontiff, to see El Papa is just massive for our Celtic supporters. Celtic supporters are so appreciative of our pope.
And the fans have not forgotten the team's Catholic roots.
THOMAS STEVENSON
So it was very, very special for us. Obviously, Celtic, our famous football team was founded by an Irish Catholic Marist brother. We were founded to feed the poor in Glasgow and surrounding area. We still do a lot of charity work today all over the world.
Brother Andrew Kerins was the Marist who founded the team in 1887. His goal was to raise funds and allocate them to families in need.
PA
TR: KG
