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The 'embrace of the prodigal son': Maradona's relationship with Pope Francis

2020-11-27T13:57:02.297Z


Diego had harsh words against the Vatican, until Bergoglio arrived. 'I am happy to have returned to Church. Now I can die in peace, 'he confessed.


Sergio Rubin

11/26/2020 9:08 AM

  • Clarín.com

  • Society

Updated 11/26/2020 9:11 AM

As appropriate in a religious and Christian environment, one of the hundreds of witnesses described as "the embrace of the prodigal son" the affectionate greeting that Pope Francis and Diego Armando Maradona gave each other on September 1, 2014 in the Paul VI room of the Vatican. .

With the biblical quote I wanted to synthesize the return of the great footballer to the Catholic Church or, at least, his appreciation for the Argentine pontiff, after having had very hard concepts years ago - which included an outburst - towards the Holy See, after meeting with another Successor of Peter, John Paul II.

Because Jorge Bergoglio was praised without question for his concern for the poor.

In 2000, upon being received by the Polish Pope together with his mother Salvadora Franco, known as La Tota, and his then wife, Claudia Villafañe, Maradona was surprised by a comment from the pontiff as he handed each one a Rosary and it arrived. his turn: "This is special for you," he said.

"Why special?

Aren't we all equal before God? ”He replied.

Shortly after, while he was undergoing medical treatment in Cuba, he was much more severe in an interview for television: “What h… de p…!

Live in a place with golden roofs while so many people go hungry and then kiss the land of poor countries.

"Two powers greet each other," was the first thing Maradona said to Francisco as they hugged each other.

"It gives me great pleasure that an Argentine is doing things so well in a place as important as the Vatican

or, after having had many popes who cared about politics and not hungry kids," he declared when he left before numerous journalists -among them this chronicler- eager to know more details of the brief encounter.

Among the many questions, one of the colleagues questioned him about what the Pope had told him, to which Diego answered shortly and at the bottom: "That he was waiting for me."

Diego and Juan Pablo II, during Diego's memorable visit with his family.

The meeting - in which many other renowned footballers from different countries participated with their families - was prior to the so-called Party for Peace that was held the next day at the Olympic stadium in Rome, organized by the Pontifical Scholas Occurrentes foundation - which works for the social integration and educational quality in many countries - led by the Argentines José Del Corral and Enrique Palmeyro.

The great absentee was Lionel Messi, who had to stay in Spain due to a muscle injury he had suffered the previous Sunday in a match for his team, Barça with Villarreal.

The following year, on April 23, Maradona saw the Pope again.

This time it was at the Santa Marta residence, in a more intimate meeting.

On the occasion, he conveyed his desire to continue supporting Scholas's work.

Later, in a press conference on Vatican Radio, he reiterated his admiration for the pontiff: "The only thing I can say today is that I am a fan of Francis,

the first fan of Francis is me

.

"

And he added: "We will give everything that is in our hearts so that Scholas may be that love for all the children of the world, so that all the children of the world eat ·.

But there would be a third date.

On October 12, 2016 Francisco met the players who would participate in a new Party for Peace (it was already the third).

Previously, he had welcomed Maradona with his Italian son Diego Jr. with whom the soccer star had not been in contact until then.

Since then, a relationship began that would not be interrupted.

In that match, played like everyone else in the Olímpico, Maradona –who served as captain of the Scholas team while Ronaldinho was the captain of the other squad- played the 80 minutes it lasted and his son 20 minutes.

However, it was after leaving the second meeting that Maradona sealed their religious reconciliation.

“When (the Pope) hugged me I thought of my mother and within myself I prayed.

I am happy to have returned to the Church, ”he

said.

Although he also exclaimed something that millions and millions around the world never wanted had happened: "Now I can die in peace!"

GL

Source: clarin

All life articles on 2020-11-27

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