MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Soccer fan Pope Francis receives San Lorenzo, South America's best team

“In a very special way, I greet South America's champions San Lorenzo. They are part of my cultural identity,” said the pope

Soccer took center stage at the Vatican Wednesday morning when members of Argentina's San Lorenzo visited their most famous fan, Pope Francis, to share the joy of winning the Copa Libertadores last week.

 Pope Francis introduced the members of San Lorenzo to the crowd that gathered around them.

“In a very special way, I greet South America's champions San Lorenzo. They are part of my cultural identity,” said the pope as he welcomed the team.

San Lorenzo's traveling crew included club president Matias Lammens, vice-president Marcelo Tinelli, manager Edgardo Bauza, assistant manager Bernardo Romeo, plus players Juan Mercier and Julio Buffarini.

The pope later invited his guests into a private room where he received a replica of the Libertadores trophy.

With holy support like that, San Lorenzo is hoping to return to the Vatican in December with the FIFA Club World Cup trophy in hand. To do that, they must defeat the mighty Real Madrid in Morocco, but a miracle is possible when you have the pope on your side.

Club president Matias Lammens has faith that San Lorenzo can return to the Vatican in December.

“God willing we will be back in December after beating Real,” said Lammens.

San Lorenzo won their first Libertadores title last week defeating Paraguay's Nacional 2-1 on aggregate becoming the eighth Argentine club to lift the prestigious South American trophy.