Pope Benedict XVI set aside the disappointment of his native Germany losing to Italy in the Euro 2012 semi-final and congratulated Italian president Giorgio Napolitano yesterday, his spokesperson said.
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The 85-year-old German-born pontiff — whose predecessor Poland-born Pope John Paul II was a well-regarded goalkeeper in his youth — is also the Bishop of Rome and it was as much in this role that he extended his congratulations.u00a0
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