The Pope has his favorite in the discussions for the best player title.

2025-05-19 18:51 © AP

According to sources who lived with the Pope, Leo XIV favors Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel Messi, admires the works of Portuguese Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, and has a good understanding of the Portuguese language.

"In football, Father Robert Prevost was very fond of the Argentinians, but between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, he preferred the Portuguese player. He appreciated discipline, consistency, and the fact that C. Ronaldo demanded more from himself to win. He emphasized the Portuguese player’s work, patience, and efforts in rising to the top,” said Jose Maria Nunez.

Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s discipline, all the priests from Luso interviewed in the city of Chiclayo agreed that the new 69-year-old Pope enjoys order and respects the tradition of liturgical items.

Elected Pope on May 8, after a two-day conclave in the Vatican, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost chose the name Leo XIV. He succeeded Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88.