Pope Francis is a big fan of the beautiful game. This is hardly surprising, considering he hails from Argentina - a country where football is not just a game but a way of life.
It's the birthplace of legendary footballers like Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. He witnessed both of them becoming world champions and had the privilege of meeting them in person on several occasions.
When asked about who he considers the greatest player in history between the two, Pope Francis didn't hesitate in his response. "I would add a third - Pele. They are the three I have followed. All three are great, each with their own specialties.
However, as a man of the church, when it comes to choosing his favourite player, he doesn't base his judgment solely on their skills on the pitch.
"Maradona as a man failed. Poor thing, he slipped, the people around him didn't help him. It [his life] ended badly.
"Messi is different - he's innocent, he is a gentleman. But the greatest gentleman was Pele, a man with a very big heart."
