Pope Francis will donate
an olive tree for the Interreligious Match for Peace Monday at
Rome's Stadio Olimpico, the Argentine organisation that will get
the proceeds of the keenly awaited encounter between old and new
glories said Thursday.
Roberto Dabusti of educational group Scholas occurrentes
told L'Osservatore Romano: "Pope Francis will receive the
players in the Paul VI Hall and will provide the virtual
kick-off for the match, handing over an olive tree that will be
planted in the area of the stadium as a symbol of dialogue and
peace".
The Interreligious Match for Peace has been built upon the
pope's appeals for an end to conflicts around the world.
Francis, a known soccer fan, will not attend the match in
person.
The Match for Peace was developed by Scholas occurrentes
and the the Pupi foundation, a Buenos Aires-based charity for
poor children founded by former Inter and Argentina defender
Javier Zanetti, as well as by the Pontifical Academy for Social
Science.
Former Argentina great Diego Maradona has announced that he
has accepted an invitation to attend the match.
The 53-year-old, who helped Napoli win two Serie A titles
and a UEFA Cup during his 1984-91 stint in Italy, is just one of
many football greats of past and present to say they will take
part in the game.
Others include Lionel Messi, Zinedine Zidane, Roberto
Baggio, David Trezeguet, Andrea Pirlo, Gianluigi Buffon, Roberto
Baggio, Yuto Nagatomo, Samuel Eto'o, and Zanetti.
Earlier this month, Egypt's Al-Ahly football club and star
Mohamed Abou Treika rejected an invitation to take part in the
match, complaining of the "participation of Zionists".
The match is expected to include Israeli former
center-fielder Yossi Benayoun, who has previously played with
Liverpool and Chelsea.
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