Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Saturday, 09 May 2026, 13:18 / Updated Saturday, 09 May 2026 13:24
crystal Chivu and the players with whom he won the first Scudetto in his coaching career met Pope Leo XIV in the morning. Just like two years ago, his delegation Inter she went to the Vatican, where she was invited to an audience by the Holy Father.
It is not the first time for the Nerazzurri, who have previously met with another Pontiff, Pope Bergoglio, or, like Napoli, who visited Leo XIV a year ago after Antonio Conte's side won the last championship.
“A special moment for Inter, the champions of Italy. On the occasion of the match in Rome against Lazio, the team, the coach Cristian Chivu and the management of the club will be received in audience by Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.
The delegation of Inter, visiting the Vatican
The meeting, scheduled for 10:00 a.m. in “Sala del Consistoro”opens the day before the match at the Olimpico, from 18:00″, the Milanese club stated in a statement.
Today in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, the Sovereign Pontiff sent the following message to the guests of the champions of Italy:
“Reflect on your experience so that you can be the bearer of a message for the growth of the youth”
“In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you!
Good morning everyone, welcome and best wishes!
Dear brothers and sisters,
Well done and congratulations to the entire team, managers, coaches and many fans and supporters for this achievement.
This is surely a moment of great joy for all of you and I am delighted to be a part of it. It is a goal achieved thanks to great dedication, teamwork, discipline and perseverance, which you have maintained even in the exhilarating moments – like the last match, when you are already celebrating! – even in the difficult ones, without getting discouraged or giving up.
Pope Leo XIV was chosen by the Vatican cardinals as the successor of Francis / Photo: GettyImages
Therefore, while I congratulate you, I invite you to reflect on your experience, so that in this moment of success you can be bearers of a useful message especially for the growth of young people. Many of them, these days, look to you as their “heroes”, role models, and this entrusts you with a responsibility that goes beyond performance and requires you, as athletes, to be a witness of values.
“Young people really need role models and what you do has an impact that can be positive or negative on their lives”
I would like to emphasize this, because today's youth really need role models, and what you do has an impact that can be positive or negative on their lives. Therefore, reflection on this great responsibility you carry is the message I really want to leave you.
Saint John Paul II, some 35 years ago, spoke about this during a meeting with Inter representatives. After recalling their significant role in the history of Italian football, he added, addressing the players and coaches: “Make sure that many can recognize in you and in your behavior your genuineness and unshakable integrity” (speech to Inter's coaches and players on February 16, 1991). These are words that I feel the need to repeat to you, renewing my congratulations.
I bless you and your families from the bottom of my heart and wish you all the best.”
