Pope Meets With NFL Delegation Including Jerry Jones
VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Francis has met with an NFL Hall of Fame delegation and urged them to translate values of teamwork and fair play from the football field to the broader community and help build a "culture of encounter."
Speaking Wednesday during a special audience, Francis said such values help "combat the exaggerated individualism, indifference and injustice that hold us back from living as one human family."
The soccer-mad pope joked that he is an avid fan of football — but the Argentine kind.
The NFL delegation included Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Aug. 5.
"What a magnificent thing for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and to have him recognize pro football. When I think of the millions who know our Spiritual leader, it is very special to think that we had his audience on behalf of the game," Jones said following the meeting.
"It has been a magical day; Pope Francis has blessed the entire NFL and the Pro Football Hall of Fame," Gene Jones added.
Francis recorded a video message on the eve of this year's Super Bowl in which he repeated his call for sports to encourage a "culture of encounter."
Hall of Famers Curtis Martin, Chris Doleman, Franco Harris, Jim Taylor, Ronnie Lott and Floyd Little also attended.
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