Ten years ago, reporting that the Vatican had named St Luigi Scrosoppi as the patron saint of footballers, the Catholic Herald's editors noted that "The Vatican has stressed that his care is extended to all players; one trusts, therefore, that his favours would be neutrally bestowed in a tight World Cup final between England and Italy." (The Vatican's biography does not explain why he was chosen.) The article continued:
Certainly there can be no question of Scrosoppi’s sanctity. Throughout his life he battled against the strong anti-clerical tide in Italy to bring hope and comfort to the poor.
