Pope Francis is trying to cheer up Brazilian soccer fans after the team's quarter-final exit from the World Cup. The pope, an Argentine and an avid soccer fan, noted a preponderance of Brazilian flags on display in St Peter's Square during his traditional Sunday blessing.

'Have courage'
He told the crowd: "I see a lot of Brazilian flags. Have courage! There'll be a next time." The five-time world champions left the World Cup empty handed after losing to Belgium in the quarter-finals, leaving only European teams contending for the title in Russia. Pope Francis often meets with visiting national soccer teams, has a collection of gifted jerseys and frequently promotes the value of sports particularly for young people. Argentina was eliminated from World Cup contention in the first of the knockout rounds.