Pope Francis talks football and life with young boy in Barcelona

Pope Francis met six‑year‑old Renzo, a Peruvian child living in Barcelona, at the Church of San Agustín in the El Raval neighbourhood. Renzo presented a written questionnaire, asking personal and philosophical questions about football, the desire to become pope, suffering, poverty and forgiveness.

The pontiff answered, recalling his own experience with sport – he plays tennis, played American football as a youth, and played soccer with seminarians in Trujillo, Peru. He noted his first World Cup viewing was the 1982 tournament in Spain and said, “a bit of sport is good for everyone” because it nurtures body, mind and soul. He emphasized teamwork, likening football to a shared life path, and urged compassion for the elderly and the importance of forgiveness.

The meeting was attended by charitable associations and assistance‑seekers, and a video of Renzo’s letter was shown during the encounter.