Sr. Janet Fearns

On one occasion recently one of my sisters went into a local sweetshop on my behalf and, in the course of her purchases, told the shopkeeper about my work at Vatican Radio. The man was interested…but all he really wanted to know was whether or not there is football on Vatican Radio.

It just so happens that there is a weekly programme in Italian called “Non Solo Sport” (Not Only Sport). The commentators, however, are four cardinals and an archbishop!

Cardinal Fiorenzo Angelini, President of the Pontifical Council for Health, is apparently a fanatical supporter of Roma, whereas Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Archbishop of Genoa and a Member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, is an equally ardent fan of Juventus. Cardinal Ersilio Tonini, Archbishop Emeritus of Ravenna-Cervia has more time in his retirement, making it possible for him to follow the progress of Juventus, Parma, Bologna, Fiorentina, Piacenza and Ravenna. Cardinal Jose Saraura Martins, the Prefect of the Congregation of Causes of Saints has possibly canonised his favourites, Lazio, whereas Archbishop Cosmo Francesco Ruppi, Archbishop of Lecce and President of the Episcopal Conference of Pugliese, limits himself to his home team of Lecce.

It really is very interesting to listen to the prelates discussing the weekend’s football with the authority of veteran radio commentators. It seems that they have found an outlet for which they have always longed. Even those who don’t understand Italian are automatically infected by their enthusiasm. However, it’s “not only sport” that counts. Many issues (ethical and otherwise) related to sport appear on the programme. Even the new lighting at Rome’s stadium was fair game for their scrutiny.

In September I think that most of Vatican Radio’s language sections were interested to see what would happen in St. Peter’s Square when several young football teams went to greet the Pope during his weekly General Audience. Several of my colleagues commented that the piazza suddenly had mini football fields on which youngsters showed off their skills to Pope Benedict. On that day the Pope himself urged young people to become involved in their local sports, whether football or something entirely different.

Not everybody is aware that Pope John Paul established a special Vatican department, completely dedicated to the promotion and support of sport. Through it, the Vatican has donated a large number of footballs and other equipment around the world. Even as I write, some of the Vatican Radio personnel are debating whether or not the England cricket team will come to visit Pope Benedict, just as the rugby champions had a private audience with his predecessor.

…and on that note, I realised that there is someone in Vatican Radio who knows even less about sport than I do. As an Indian colleague congratulated me on England’s success with the ashes, the Aussie who happened to be accompanying me looked confused. “What ashes?” she asked!