Pope Francis called a summit meeting with his first team and their manager Brendan Rodgers this morning after Celtic crashed out of Europe before Christmas yet again.
Unhappy like the rest of the Celtic support, the Holy Father perhaps talked about his dismay at the summer transfer window and asked why Celtic was happy to sign projects that are obviously nowhere near the level required for Champions League football? Okay, maybe not but that’s what should have happened!
Here’s what did actually happen and it’s pretty special, especially for the Roman Catholics within the Celtic party that today visited the Vatican to be received by Pope Francis himself…YNWA!
VATICAN: Pope Francis welcomes Celtic Football Club from Glasgow at the Vatican today, and spoke about the ‘valued legacy’ of Celtic and how it was originally established to help fight poverty.
VATICAN: Pope Francis welcomes Celtic Football Club from Glasgow at the Vatican today, and spoke about the ‘valued legacy’ of Celtic and how it was originally established to help fight poverty. “I pray that you will continue to remember and bear witness to everything that makes… pic.twitter.com/oktzuqxN4J
— Colm Flynn (@colmflynnire) November 29, 2023
“I pray that you will continue to remember and bear witness to everything that makes sport genuinely good and noble. May Almighty God bless each of you and your families. I wish you a safe journey home to Scotland.”
“While it is true that winning rather than losing a match is always preferred, it is not the most important aspect! More vital is the example you give when winning or losing, both on and off the field. An example that embodies the virtues of courage, perseverance, generosity and respect for the God-given dignity of others.
“Indeed, Celtic Football Club was founded in 1887 with the specific goal of alleviating poverty in the City of Glasgow. This was truly a charitable undertaking for the sake of the most needy of our brothers and sisters. Yet, how much the world of football has changed since then. In particular, the financial footprint of the ‘Beautiful Game’ has greatly increased, and at times can risk making football only attractive for reasons of monetary profit.
“With these brief remarks, I pray that you will continue to remember and bear witness to everything that makes sport genuinely good and noble. May Almighty God bless each of you and your families. I wish you a safe journey home to Scotland, and ask you, please, to pray for me!”
VATICAN: Pope Francis welcomes Celtic Football Club from Glasgow at the Vatican today, and spoke about the ‘valued legacy’ of Celtic and how it was originally established to help fight poverty. “I pray that you will continue to remember and bear witness to everything that makes… pic.twitter.com/oktzuqxN4J
— Colm Flynn (@colmflynnire) November 29, 2023
🍀 Today at the Vatican, the #CelticFC staff and players were honoured to be granted an audience with his Holy Father, Pope Francis.
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) November 29, 2023
Lawwell has pulled out a card machine to charge him for that shirt pic.twitter.com/mSTVFxEGgr
— Sean (@Seaneee01) November 29, 2023
Celtic players and staff had their spirits lifted the morning after their Champions League defeat as they were granted a private audience with Pope Francis.
The Holy Father referred to the 'valued legacy' of Celtic and how it was originally established to help fight poverty. pic.twitter.com/Xz5lzJry3R— Archdiocese of Glasgow (@ArchdiocGlasgow) November 29, 2023
A great honour for Celtic to meet his Holiness Pope Francis . An honour and privilege even greater than winning the European Cup . The directors , staff and players will cherish this event to their dying days .
Viva Celtic and Viva Papa .