How can you tell that the pope is Argentinean? The Vatican has called for a worldwide cease-fire during the final match of the World Cup, scheduled to take place Sunday evening Israel time between Argentina -- Pope Francis' birthplace -- and Germany. A message from the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Culture asked for a moment of silence around the Sunday match to "remember those stricken by wars and unrest worldwide." However, FIFA officials have nixed the request for a moment of silence in the Maracana Stadium. The Vatican had argued for the moment of silence saying that sporting events had begun as part of religious festivals and that such events were "moments of peace, when wars ceased, as for the Olympic truce." The tradition of the Olympic truce began in the ninth century B.C.E. from the desire to allow sports fans and athletes to take part in and watch the games. "Why not for the World Cup, why not a pause, a moment of silence, a truce for peace-" asked Melchor Sanchez de Toca y Alameda, undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture. The previous pope, Benedict XVI, is German, causing some to wonder whether he and Pope Francis would watch the game together. Benedict is not known as a soccer fan and prefers study and playing the piano to watching the sport, while Francis has expressed his love for the game and might watch the match. However, Francis has already given his word that there would be no papal intervention in Argentina's fortunes, promising he wouldn't pray for any team. Despite being Argentinean, Francis received an enthusiastic welcome from Brazilian Catholics during his visit there a year ago.
Pope urges truce during World Cup Argentina-Germany final
Pope Francis, known to be an avid soccer fan, asks adherents worldwide to pause to remember those stricken by "wars and unrest" • FIFA refuses request for moment of silence at Maracana Stadium • Pope promises not to pray for Argentinean team.
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