AUSTRALIA’S Governor-General has tried to win a new fan for the Socceroos during an official audience with Pope Francis on June 25.
Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife Lynne Cosgrove met with the Holy Father in the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City.
The Governor-General presented the Argentina-born Pontiff with a personalised Socceroos jersey to encourage him to cheer for Australia in the World Cup.
“During the cordial discussion, the themes of migration, at both global and regional levels, and climate change, were considered,” a statement said.
“Mention was also made of the role of the Church in Australian society, and the current discussion on the protection of minors and vulnerable people, reiterating the commitment of all members of the Church in this regard.
“Attention then turned to the social situation of the country, and to the question of peace and stability in the entire region of the Pacific and of Asia.”
During his visit to Italy and Rome, Mr Cosgrove also met with students at the Australian Catholic University’s Rome campus.
Ambassador to the Holy See Melissa Hitchman hosted the visit.
Following the visit to the university campus, Mr Cogsrove visited the Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Wall to pay his respects to Francis Xavier Conaci, the young Australian indigenous seminarian from New Norcia who was posthumously recognised by ACU with the establishment of a scholarship in his name.
