Bayern get papal blessing after thrashing Roma

VATICAN CITY - Agence France-Presse

An autographed Bayern Munich football jersey is presented to Pope Francis during a private audience with the team at the Palace of the Vatican in Vatican City, October 22, 2014. REUTERS Photo

A day after thrashing local club Roma 7-1, Bayern Munich staff and players Wednesday paid a visit to the Bishop of Rome, otherwise known as Pope Francis.
      
Club captains Philipp Lahm and Manuel Neuer and coach Pep Guardiola presented the football-loving pontiff with a Bayern shirt signed by all the players with the German version of his chosen name, Franziskus, and a number 1 printed on the back.
      
Francis, an Argentinian who follows Buenos Aires club San Lorenzo, praised the Bayern squad for their Champions League demolition job in the Olympic Stadium.
      
"You played a wonderful game yesterday," he was quoted as saying on Bayern's website, adding: "Football is good and healthy, and a good role model for children as a team sport."       

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who spent three seasons in Italy with Internazionale, chatted with the pontiff in Italian, telling him that the audience had been a "great honour".
      
Francis responded that he had fond memories of the 1986 World Cup final in Mexico, in which Rummenigge scored one of Germany's goals in a 3-2 defeat by Argentina.
      
Rummenigge also announced that the club would be donating one million euros in proceeds from an upcoming friendly match for Francis to pass on to a charity or charities of his choice.
      
"It was very special, especially for those who are Catholic," said Neuer later. "It was a great moment in the history of the club."       

After blessing the group, Francis brought the audience to a close in German, saying: "Thank you for your visit. Pray for me, I need it."