Recently, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) released a moving film honoring Pope Francis, also referred to as “the footballer Pope,” and his life and legacy.  In this tribute, key events from Jorge Bergoglio’s pontificate are woven together with the Argentinean love of football.

 Following the announcement of Pope Francis’s death, the sports community rallied to pay their condolences, with a number of individuals, organizations, and clubs paying tribute to a true lover of the beautiful game.  The “The Argentinian Who Played for the World” film from the AFA features compelling narrations that illustrate the Pope’s remarkable journey in addition to photos from his March 13, 2013, inauguration.

“Francisco, what a player!” is a strong opening remark for the narration.  One of the people that never gave up.  They are the ones who were selected.  Every few decades, a rare character emerges, but this one was unique since he took up the position when a change was initially needed.  It still considers the important historical moment when Pope Benedict XVI vacated the post.

The Argentinean final captain of the Church is honored in the video, which emphasizes togetherness over individualism: “He never played solo, always preached teamwork.”  Does that sound familiar?  Bergoglio and I had a different God.  Pictures from December 18, 2022, when the Argentine national team won their third World Cup, which brought the country together, are interspersed throughout this chapter.