Soccer-loving pope cheers Messi, other players

Soccer-loving pope cheers Messi, other players

VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Francis cheered fellow Argentine Lionel Messi and other soccer stars today as he held a morality-focused pep rally of sorts at the Vatican for Argentina and Italy’s national teams ahead of their eagerly awaited friendly match. Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America, is an avid soccer fan who roots for the Saints of San Lorenzo back in Buenos Aires. Since his election as pope in March he has accumulated a growing collection of soccer jerseys tossed to him by fans at his public appearances.