Pope Leo XIV congratulates Napoli the winners of serie A

 VATICAN CITY — Pope Leon XIV struck a celebratory yet cautionary tone on Tuesday as he received Serie A champions Napoli in a private audience at the Vatican, congratulating the players and staff on their recent title victory while warning against the risks of treating sport solely as a commercial enterprise.

 Meeting the team in the richly decorated Sala Clementina of the Apostolic Palace, the pontiff welcomed the delegation with warmth and humour, even joking about reports of his supposed football loyalties. “Perhaps you didn’t want to applaud because the newspapers say I’m a Roma supporter… But welcome!” he quipped, before adding, “Not everything you read in the press is true.”
 The remarks were published by the Sala Stampa della Santa Sede, the Holy See Press Office.

Turning quickly to the heart of his message, Leo praised Napoli’s league win as the fruit of collective effort. “The championship is won by the team—players, coaches, staff, and the entire club,” he said, underscoring the importance of unity and collaboration over isolated brilliance or individual stardom.

 But the pope also used the occasion to offer a deeper reflection on the social and moral role of sport, especially for young people. “When sport becomes business,” the leader of the Roman Catholic Church warned, “it risks losing the values that make it educational, and can even become harmful.” He appealed directly to parents and sports executives to preserve the integrity of the athletic experience at the youth and competitive levels, stressing the lasting impact it can have on character and personal development.

 “There's human growth at stake,” he said. “I think we understand each other—no need for many words.”

 While serious in message, the pope’s address was also peppered with light-hearted touches. He revealed that one of his kitchen staff, a Neapolitan woman named Rosa, had been following the team’s journey closely and had sent her own congratulations. “She’s been cooking for me these days,” Leo said. “She would have liked to be here too. She’s a big fan!”

 Throughout the brief but meaningful audience, the pontiff highlighted how football—especially in a country like Italy where it holds near-sacred status—has the power to inspire not only pride, but a deeper sense of shared purpose. “A victory like this becomes more than a sporting achievement,” he said. “It’s a symbol of teamwork, where individual talents are placed at the service of the whole.”

 
The meeting came just days after Napoli clinched the Serie A title, marking a high point in the club’s modern history and igniting celebrations across the city and among its global fan base.

 As the players and club officials gathered around for final greetings and photos, the pope concluded with a blessing for the entire squad and their families: “May the Lord bless you all. Best wishes!”

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