You’ve heard of “The House that Ruth Built?" Well now there’s “The House His Holiness Built.” Or, “is-going-to-build,” anyways. Argentine side San Lorenzo de Almagro have named their forthcoming stadium after the Pope, their biggest fan.
OK, maybe not their biggest fan, but certainly their most famous. The stadium has been christened “Papa Francisco” after Pope Francis.
Construction is slated to begin in 2016, and last at least two years.
"Papa Francisco" is slated to open sometime around 2018 or 2019 (Photo: @inesanma | Twitter)
The Buenos Aires-based club has benefited greatly from Papal support, having won both the Copa Libertadores and the Argentine National League since Jorge Bergoglio changed his name to Francis and moved to the Vatican.
Could the club be, I don't know, blessed? Probably not, but it’s fun to think about.
So, for anyone who wants a stadium named after them, follow this helpful advice: become the Pope and hope your favorite club just happens to get good and build a new stadium during your papacy. It sounds implausible, but stranger things have happened.
Ask for a little divine intervention, maybe.
