01 April 2017, The Tablet

Pope Francis to take over as chairman of San Lorenzo, despite promise not to watch TV


The team, which trails rivals Boca Juniors by just three points, has been the Pope's favourite since he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires


Argentinian football team San Lorenzo received an unexpected boost to their Primera Division fight this week with the surprise announcement that Pope Francis will take over as chairman next season. 

The team, which trails rivals Boca Juniors by just three points, has been the Pope's favourite since he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires, as witnessed by his club ID card (pictured). 

At a Press Conference on 1 April a Vatican spokesman said that the Holy See had a history of involvement in sport, citing the Pope's charity match, "United for Peace", last year. 

The spokesman, Fr Pesce D'Aprile, added it was unlikely Pope Francis would attend matches in his new capacity. Because of a promise he made to the Virgin of Carmen in 1990 to not watch TV, he does not watch broadcast games. 

"A Swiss guard tells him where San Lorenzo is in the table," he added. 

 

 UPDATE: This story was published on 1 April, April Fool's Day. 


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