World Cup champions Germany are likely to attend a reception with Pope Francis ahead of a November friendly match with Italy, the German soccer federation DFB confirmed on Friday.
Germany travel to San Marino for a World Cup qualifier on November 11 before facing Italy in Milan on November 15. According to a report in the Bild newspaper, the likely meeting with the pope would be on November 13 or 14.
"It is a nice thought, before the international game with Italy as a year-ender, to come together as a team in Rome once more," team manager Oliver Bierhoff said. "We have positive signals that in this time there could also be a meeting with the pope.
"That would naturally be a high point and a big honour for our whole team."
