The Variétés Club de France triumphed in a friendly football match yesterday, Wednesday 22 March, in Rome against Fratelli Tutti, the Vatican football team, with a result of 8-2.
In addition to the sporting performance, the event was an important opportunity for some former French football stars, such as Christian Karembeu, Robert Pirès and Arsène Wenger, to take part in a real pilgrimage.
The day also saw the participation of Monsignor Emmanuel Gobilliard, Bishop of Digne, who has actively collaborated with Athletica Vaticana in particular in the projects for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The two teams were received the following day by Pope Francis, after participating in Holy Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.
The Vatican team is composed of 18 priests and seminarians from the various Roman Pontifical Colleges, most of whom are African, and in the style of the Clericus Cup.
As always, the event was greeted with great enthusiasm by the sports and religious community, demonstrating how sport can be a means of bringing people together, regardless of their cultural and religious differences.