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Pope Tells Kaiser: Germany Is Strong

DW staff (nda)October 27, 2005

After their meeting in the Vatican, World Cup chief Franz Beckenbauer told reporters Pope Benedict XVI will watch the most important matches of next year's World Cup and believes Germany has a strong side.

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"Talking about the World Cup, you couldn't have a word...upstairs?"Image: AP

"He was very interested (in the World Cup)," Beckenbauer was quoted as saying by Italy's ANSA news agency after the meeting. The pontiff asked for "information about the organization of the event and even about the stadiums where the teams will play."

Beckenbauer, who gave the pontiff a 2006 World Cup pennant at the brief audience, and Pope Benedict both come from Bavaria, home to one of Germany's most famous teams, Bayern Munich.

"I don't know if he's a Bayern fan, but it's possible," Beckenbauer said. "To speak about soccer with a pope has been the most important moment of my life."

ANSA quoted Beckenbauer as saying that Benedict told him, "Germany is strong."

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