Argentina's pope backs the Saints over Devils in soccer
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Pope Francis could have chosen the Devils. Instead he turned to the Saints.
In a country where a blurry line separates religion from soccer, it's only appropriate that the first Argentine pope is a fan of team partly founded by and named for a priest: the Saints of San Lorenzo.
One of the rival teams bears the name Red Devils.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
The new pope grew up in Buenos Aires' Flores neighborhood, not far from the San Lorenzo stadium. Like his father, he formed a bond with the team that continued as he rose up the Roman Catholic hierarchy to become archbishop of Argentina's capital. He's even a member of the association that owns the club.
The team has issued a news release expressing pride at the papal connection.