Top cardinal dreams of Vatican FC

**holidaysong** · 18/12/2006, 5:38 PM

From the BBC:

A senior Roman Catholic cardinal says he hopes the Vatican may one day field a football team good enough to compete with Italy's top sides.

Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone envisaged a team that might challenge famous Serie A clubs like Roma, Inter Milan and Sampdoria.

He said the Church's seminaries and Catholic youth clubs around Italy were full of talented footballers.

He said they would gladly pull on the Vatican's yellow-and-white colours.

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Must say I think this would be a far better idea for the Vatican to pursue than try and set up there own international team. It works for Monaco. Surely the Vatican wouldn't try and have both!

**4tothefloor** · 18/12/2006, 9:30 PM

They shouldn't bother with either. There's enough crap out there already.

**pineapple stu** · 19/12/2006, 9:58 PM

How do you declare for the Vatican then? By being in priest college? That doesn't make any sense surely?

Don't think anyone's born in the Vatican and hardly anyone lives there. No real hope of a team. There's taking the p!ss and taking the p!ss...

**LeixlipRed** · 19/12/2006, 11:16 PM

Nah, I think it's a great idea. After all, that Italian lad in Father Ted was quite the player...

**Pauro 76** · 20/12/2006, 12:30 PM

would their kit be made by Mitre?

the fans could sing hymns instead of chants.

**Bully Bull** · 20/12/2006, 1:28 PM

Originally Posted by LeixlipRed

Nah, I think it's a great idea. After all, that Italian lad in Father Ted was quite the player...

Father Romeo Sensini.Your quintessential Italian:Tall and Handsome.Only needed four Nurses to help him up a stairs!

**renovater** · 05/01/2007, 8:05 PM

I supose they would call there ground The Holy Grail.

**drummerboy** · 05/01/2007, 11:29 PM

Agent Le Grun has been called back from Glasgow and could manage the team. Mission accomplished

**The Legend** · 11/01/2007, 12:16 AM

10 minutes left, AC Milan are being held 0-0 by the Cup's surprising newcomers Vatican FC. Father Noel Flaherty in goal throws the ball out to Friar Bandino Dominche, goes past 3 players, crosses the ball in for Cardinal Willhem Santiagoooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllll lllllllllllllllllllll!... take that ye F**king Milanese heathens... Get in there Father, absolute F**king magic!

**Ash** · 11/01/2007, 8:16 AM

Originally Posted by The Legend

10 minutes left, AC Milan are being held 0-0 by the Cup's surprising newcomers Vatican FC. Father Noel Flaherty in goal throws the ball out to Friar Bandino Dominche, goes past 3 players, crosses the ball in for Cardinal Willhem Santiagoooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllll lllllllllllllllllllll!... take that ye F**king Milanese heathens... Get in there Father, absolute F**king magic!

Or, if they formed a national team and got beaten by Norway can you imagine
the commentator ...

Pope Pius, Saint Peter, Saint Paul, John The Baptist, Pope John Paul,
Pope Benedict, Cardinal Richelieu, we have beaten them all, we have beaten
them all. Jesus Christ, can you hear me? Jesus Christ ... Your boys took a hell of a beating!

**BohsPartisan** · 11/01/2007, 9:34 AM

Imagine them getting Rangers in Europe!

**Lionel Ritchie** · 11/01/2007, 10:56 AM

I can see the back pages of the Tabs having a great time with them... any of these would be good for getting knocked out of Europe by an even tinyer minnow...

1. VATICAN FC ...WHAT A HOLY SHOW

2. JESUS WEPT!!!

3. FORGIVE THEM OH LORD ...THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO

..plenty of room for crucifiction jibes as well.

**BohsPartisan** · 11/01/2007, 3:31 PM

Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie

I can see the back pages of the Tabs having a great time with them... any of these would be good for getting knocked out of Europe by an even tinyer minnow...

1. VATICAN FC ...WHAT A HOLY SHOW

2. JESUS WEPT!!!

3. FORGIVE THEM OH LORD ...THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO

..plenty of room for crucifiction jibes as well.

I bet they're keeper'll get crucified on crosses.

**ken foree** · 11/01/2007, 3:43 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

How do you declare for the Vatican then? By being in priest college? That doesn't make any sense surely?

Don't think anyone's born in the Vatican and hardly anyone lives there. No real hope of a team. There's taking the p!ss and taking the p!ss...

heh, i suppose they'd be a club team like monaco? i'd love to see it if only for the surreal novelty of it...

**Pauro 76** · 12/01/2007, 4:07 PM

Official nick-name:
The God Squad.

Never mind playing Rangers, imagine if they get to play Young (Altar) Boys of Berne!

**BohsPartisan** · 15/01/2007, 2:14 PM

Or even Wexford Youths?

**Metrostars** · 15/01/2007, 7:22 PM

The Vatican womens team:
http://www.geraintlewis.com/reportage/Nuns_Football.jpg

**HarpoJoyce** · 29/02/2008, 11:51 PM

Month old article from
Sydney Morning Herald on some restictions placed on local league.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/row...157559866.html

"Honesty, Solidarity, Fraternity" - Pope Benedict XVI
this goes against a little of the gender equality message of FIFA.

**lim abroad** · 01/03/2008, 7:21 PM

would they be able to play on sundays?

**HarpoJoyce** · 01/03/2008, 9:07 PM

Originally Posted by lim abroad

would they be able to play on sundays?

I think at the weekend early afternoon kick-off is at Sexts Noon - 15:00
or later at Nones 15:00 -18:00.

Mid-week fixtures, where their is appropiate floodlighting should be well after Vespers 18:00, even ko time of Compline 21:00, although that late timing is usually Spain.

If Umberto Eco's guide to early Calcio rivalry, In The Name of The Rose, is anything to go by matches between the Benedictines and Francisians "Grey Friars" (preceived anti-establishment types) are pretty lively.