Inter Milan had an unusual morning before their away match against Lazio: the entire team visited Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican for a blessing, only to face an unprecedented silent protest orchestrated by fans from both clubs at the Stadio Olimpico that evening.
The Serie A clash kicked off at 23:00 Beijing time. Adding to the drama, the two sides are set to meet again on May 13 at the same stadium for the Italian Cup final, making this match a dress rehearsal of sorts. Taking advantage of their stay in Rome, the Italian champions continued a tradition by visiting the Vatican, led by manager Cristian Chivu and president Giuseppe Marotta. The Pope was presented with a special Inter jersey bearing the name “LEO XIV.”
In his address, Pope Francis congratulated Inter, saying: “This is undoubtedly a moment of great joy for all of you, and I am happy to share it with you.” He specifically praised the team for achieving their goals “through effort, teamwork, discipline, and perseverance,” and recalled the words of Saint John Paul II to Inter 35 years ago, urging players to “ensure that people can recognize in you the sincerity and integrity that withstand the test of time.” The Pope emphasized that many young people look up to players as “heroes” and role models, a responsibility that “goes beyond athletic performance, requiring you to be witnesses of values as athletes.”
However, the atmosphere inside the stadium was set to be a stark contrast to the solemnity of the Vatican. Ultra groups from both Inter and Lazio gathered outside the ground to launch a joint protest. Lazio fans have been boycotting home matches for months, and with Inter supporters now joining in, this high-profile Serie A fixture was expected to unfold in an eerily quiet arena.
