Pope Francis welcomed Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and some other notable names in the NFL to the Vatican on Wednesday morning.
Jones, who will soon be inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer, was joined by six previous inductees, including Curtis Martin, Ronnie Lott and Franco Harris for their meeting with the leader of the Catholic Church, NFL.com reports.
“I am pleased to greet you, the members and directors of the American Pro Football Hall of Fame and welcome you to the Vatican,” Pope Francis said in a release published by the Hall of Fame.
Pope Francis meets Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees, including Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, receives custom “Papa Francesco” jersey. pic.twitter.com/aHQCTYUESh
— ABC News (@ABC) June 21, 2017
“Teamwork, fair play and the pursuit of personal excellence are the values–in the religious sense, we can say virtues that have guided your commitment, on and off the field,” the pope continued. “These values meet the needs of our brothers and sisters and combat the exaggerated individualism, indifference and injustice that hold us back from living as one human family.”
Pope Francis then personally greeted the football greats and their wives and blessed them all. Jones was the only enshrinee of the group that was the first American sports organization to meet with the pope.
Exclusive reaction from @dallascowboys Jerry Jones and his wife Gene on meeting @Pontifex #VaticanHuddle pic.twitter.com/rGXtyEnuD3
— Pro Football HOF (@ProFootballHOF) June 21, 2017
“What a magnificent thing for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and to have him recognize pro football,” Jones said of the meeting with the pope. “When I think of the millions who know our spiritual leader, it is very special to think that we had his audience on behalf of the game.”
The Hall of Fame group then toured the Sistine Chapel and are scheduled to visit the United States embassy in Vatican City later in the day.