Inter Milan Vice-President Says Goodbye To Pope Francis: ‘He Cared About Football, We Talked About Inter & Argentina – We Had A Special Bond’ | OneFootball

Inter Milan Vice-President Javier Zanetti says that Pope Francis “cared a lot about football” and that they shared a special bond.

Zanetti paid his respect to the Pope following his passing on Sky Sport Italia, via FCInterNews.

This morning, Pope Francis passed away.

The head of the Catholic died at the age of 88, following a battle with pneumonia.

The Pope’s passing has left Catholics around the world in mourning.

Furthermore, the Lega Serie A postponed the four matches that had been scheduled today as an act of respect.

Among the Catholics who Francis’s passing has affected is Inter Vice-President Javier Zanetti.

Zanetti, a former Inter captain and Argentina international, knew Pope Francis. Francis, like Zanetti, was Argentinian.

And as Zanetti, the Pope was also a fan of football.

Inter Vice-President Zanetti: “Pope Francis Cared About Football, We Had A Special Bond”

FUCHU, JAPAN – FEBRUARY 11: Inter Vice President Javier Zanetti attends a press conference during the inauguration of Inter Academy Japan on February 11, 2017 in Fuchu, Japan. (Photo by Christopher Jue/Getty Images for FC Internazionale)

Inter Milan Vice-President Javier Zanetti reflected, “First of all it’s a very sad day.”

“Because a person of great values, humble, very simple, who I had the honour and privilege of meeting several times along with my family, has left us.”

“He was a very open person to talk to about any topic,” Zanetti said of Francis.

“The first time I met him, we talked about his passion for football.”

“He was a fan of San Lorenzo,” Zanetti explained of the Argentine team. “And he told me from memory the player who were in the team that he saw become Argentine champions.

“That showed how much he cared about football,” said the Nerazzurri Vice-President.

“Then, we talked about the Pupi Foundation,” Zanetti said, referring to his charitable organization. “About Inter, about our national team.”

“Because, being Argentine, the bond I had with him was even more special.”

Zanetti admitted that “this morning when I heard the news, my mind and my heart immediately went back to the first time that I met him.”

“The way he was with my children,” he recalled. “I’ll carry with me these moments he gave us.”