Italy's football federation on Tuesday announced plans for an August friendly in Rome with Argentina in honour of Pope Francis, who was elected head of the Catholic Church last month.
"The FIGC today (Tuesday) officially invited the Argentine federation (AFA)," read a statement which specified that "a letter was sent to AFA general secretary Miguel Silva."
The idea was that of Italy coach Cesare Prandelli, himself a Catholic, to arrange a friendly between the two nations as a tribute to the recently-appointed Argentinian-born Pope, who is the first pope from South America.
"It would be good to have an audience and to then go to the stadium in the same bus, the two teams together," suggested Prandelli.
The Pope is a long-time supporter of Buenos-Aires based outfit San Lorenzo.
Source: AFP
