Cycling: One is the head of the Catholic Church, the other is the king of cycling. Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) visited Pope Francis in the Vatican yesterday, Wednesday. He presented him with a signed world champion jersey and a bicycle.
Sagan in St. Peter's Square
Will Pope Francis make his rounds in the Vatican with it in the future? We do not know it. The fact is: he could! Yesterday, Peter Sagan gave the head of the Catholic Church a racing bike and a signed world champion jersey. The wheel was painted yellow and white, in keeping with the colors of the Vatican. There is also the Vatican logo, a small Argentinian flag and the inscription "Francesco" on the frame.
During the small audience, the two shook hands briefly and chatted nicely. No wonder that Peter the Great feels at home on St. Peter's Square, because after all the three-time world champion is a devout Catholic. According to the Vatican newspaper "Osservatore Romano" Peter Sagan even revealed to the Holy Father his ritual, which he performs before every race: “At the beginning of all my races I make the sign of the cross. If my father is there, we'll do it together." According to reports, his wife Katharina accompanied him on this visit to Rome. We shall soon see whether Sagan is even more successful with the Pope's blessing. By the end of February at the latest, the classic season will start with the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad one-day race in Belgium.
Cover photo source: @ Youtube © AFP news agency