Inter Milan's Javier Zanetti said Thursday he felt "emotional" after an audience with Pope Francis, at which the Nerazzurri veteran offered a number of football-related gifts to his fellow Argentine.
Pope Francis became the first Pontiff from Argentina when he was elected on March 13.
Zanetti, who like the Pope was also born in Buenos Aires, was given an hour-long audience at which they discussed "key issues and the hard work done by Inter Campus", according to the Italian club.
Zanetti, who has made over 600 appearances for Inter since 1995, told inter.it: "It was an emotional meeting because when he was elected, the first thing I wanted to do was meet him.
"Today I had the opportunity to do so and it was a real privilege. I found him to be a straightforward man, with a big heart, who will do everything in his power to help believers."
Inter said Zanetti offered the Pope, known to be a fan of Argentine side San Lorenzo, "a number of gifts" including the player's number four shirt and a captain's armband with the flags of Italy, Argentina and the Vatican City embroidered on it - along with Zanetti's and the pope's initials.
Source: AFP
