Dar es Salaam, April 23 -- VATICAN CITY: HIS predecessor loved Mozart, but Pope Franciss passion was football – for him “the most beautiful game” and also a vehicle to educate and spread peace.

From Argentine compatriots Lionel Messi and the late Diego Maradona to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gianluigi Buffon, Francis received the greatest stars of football at the Vatican, signing dozens of shirts and balls from around the world. And the admiration flowed both ways.

Following news of the Popes death on Monday at the age of 88, Messi took to Instagram to pay tribute.

“A different Pope, close, Argentinian Rest in peace, Pope Francis,” the eight-time Ballon dOr winner posted. “Thank you for making the world a...