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Fiat to Sponsor Pope Francis’ Interfaith Soccer Match

While several conflicts still shatter our planet and human beings struggle with endless problems, Pope Francis decided it’s time to bring forth a message of peace in quite a unique form. His holiness is backing an interfaith soccer match that is aimed at promoting peace and raising money for at-risk kids. Fiat is one of the sponsors to support the event set to take place on September 1, in Rome’s Olympic Stadium.
Javier Zanetti (center) took part in an Aug. 25 press conference about the match for peace in Rome's Olympic stadium 1 photo
Photo: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.
Who said grace, peace and struggle for a better world are not part of auto makers agenda? It might not be as interesting as hot ladies foam-washing cars in commercials, or rappers using the latest models in their videos, but know this: the auto industry wants to help.

The fact that Pope Francis is supporting this unique form of promoting peace was announced this Monday, in a press conference. Former Argentina captain Javier Zanetti, who spent 19 seasons with Inter Milan before retiring, said the idea for the match arose during an audience he had with Francis last year. “The most important thing isn’t the match, but the message of peace that the pope wants to give the world,” the soccer star said to the press.

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino and Arsenal managed Arsene Wenger will put together teams featuring Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Buddhist players. Lionel Messi, Filippo Inzaghi and Samuel Eto’s are among the ones who signed up. According to Catholic News Agency, the match is set to kick off at 8:45 P.M. on September 1st in Rome’s Olympic Stadium.

The Scholas Occurrentes initiative and Italy’s Fndazione PUPI are the two key organizations assisting in the staging of the match. The event is sponsored by organizations such as Fiat, Italian tire company Firelli, FIFA and various media outlets including Italian agencies Rai, Ansa and Vatican Radio.

As a top partner of the event, the Italian automaker recently released a short clip with a Fiat Panda cruising around and making people dance whenever it passes by. The video has Pharell’s Happy big hit running in the background, of course.

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