Sports

FIFA president Sepp Blatter to have private audience with Pope Francis in Rome

Associated Press
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Pope Francis celebrates Mass at Rome's Verano cemetery, on the occasion of All Saints Day festivity, Friday, Nov. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) (The Associated Press)

Pope Francis holds up the Host as he celebrates a Mass for cardinals and bishops who died in the past year, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Monday, Nov. 4, 2013. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) (The Associated Press)

FIFA President Sepp Blatter will have a private audience with Pope Francis.

FIFA says that Blatter, whose is Roman Catholic, will meet the pope in Rome on Nov. 22.

The pope, who was elected in March, grew up as a supporter of Argentine club San Lorenzo in his native country.

Blatter wrote to him then, saying "we have learned that Your Holiness is a passionate follower of our sport and of a club nicknamed 'The Holy Team' no less."

The pope also hosted Lionel Messi in August ahead of an Italy-Argentina friendly organized in his honor.