Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 28, 2013 / 11:02 am
The San Lorenzo de Almagro soccer team celebrated the feast of Mary Help of Christians on May 24 by unveiling a plaque honoring one of their most famous "fans," Pope Francis.
The feast is marked each year by a special Mass. Two years ago, that Mass was celebrated by then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, who is now Pope Francis.
At the end of this year's Mass, the club's secretary Marcelo Vasquez joined manager Alejandro Maccio in presenting the plaque in honor of the Holy Father.
The plaque features an image of the Pope and the San Lorenzo team banner with an inscription underneath that reads, "Thank You Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio. May 24, 2011. We are praying for you, Pope Francis. May 24, 2013."
The Catholic faith has deep connections to the San Lorenzo team, which got its colors from its founder, Lorenzo Massa, who was inspired by the red and blue mantle of Mary Help of Christians. The jersey Massa designed in her honor was first used by the team in 1908.
During the Mass he celebrated with the team in 2011, the future Pope asked the players to "never kick Mary Help of Christians off the team, because she is your mother and San Lorenzo was founded at (the oratory) of St. Anthony under the protection of the Virgin Mary."