“San Lorenzo champions? What joy!” exclaimed Pope Francis upon hearing that his favorite team had won the Torneo Inicial of the Argentine Premier Division (Source: La Republica). San Lorenzo, a Buenos Aires based soccer team, clinched the Argentine title on the last week of the Torneo Inicial, by attaining a 0-0 draw against Velez Sarsfield. That result, combined with a 2-2 draw between Newell’s and Lanus, ensured San Lorenzo the championship.
San Lorenzo avoided a potential tie-breaking playoff when the Newell’s vs Lanus match ended in a draw. Had either team won, San Lorenzo would have been forced to play the winner. In the end, San Lorenzo finished with 33 points, and was proclaimed champion of Argentina; no team had won an Argentine title with so few points.
Pope Francis grew up in a Buenos Aires neighborhood that heavily identifies with San Lorenzo, and thus became a big fan of the team. After being elected Pope in March of this year, Pope Francis became San Lorenzo’s most well known fan.
As a sign of respect and a show of support to one of their biggest fans, part of the San Lorenzo ownership and several players will make the trip to Vatican City to meet with the Pope. The visit will happen to coincide with the Pope’s 77th birthday, December 17.
