Pope Francis, who is a self-confessed football fanatic, has expressed his admiration for rugby, saying that although it is hard to watch the rugby 'scrums' play sometimes, playing the game is no 'walk in the park' and that the game is a 'metaphor for life'.
The Vatican is seeking to increase its ties with the world of sport in 'new ways of bringing the Gospel' and it is seeking to draw parallels between sporting values and spiritual ones.
According to Sport24, the Argentine pontiff, a former basketball player in his youth, said as rugby is 'no walk in the park', it thus is useful to toughen the spirit and the will of individuals, adding that rugby makes one think of life as in their entire lives, people are headed for a goal.
Hailing the sport's 'loyalty and respect', the Pope also said that the players are the 'famous scrums' who are sometimes hard to watch.
The report mentioned that since his election in March, the Pope has pushed for sports to take a more prominent place in the Church, championing team games as good for mind, body and soul and calling for more 'spiritual athletes'.
