Vatican to launch international cricket team
(ANSA) – Vatican City, October 17 – The Vatican is to launch its own cricket team pitching Catholic priests against players of various religions including Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs, Vatican Radio said Thursday.
The Pontifical Council for Culture, prodded by Australia’s envoy to the Vatican, is also looking for cricket-playing nuns to form a women’s team, it said.
“Going in to bat and bowl for the Vatican team will be mainly priests and seminarians who played cricket back in their home countries and are keen to keep their eye on the ball during their time here in Rome,” Vatican Radio said. “The organisers foresee some interesting ecumenical and interfaith prospects for the club and they are also on the lookout for any religious sisters interested in forming a women’s XI as well,” it said.
The “driving force” behind the idea, it said, is the Australian ambassador to the Holy See, John McCarthy, “a passionate player himself” and former member of the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust.
The cricket team will be formally unveiled with other initiatives on October 22.
The Vatican sponsors sports through a special body and has an annual soccer tournament for Catholic institutions, the Clericus Cup.
Pope Francis is a card-carrying supporter of his hometown Buenos Aires soccer team, San Lorenzo.