It's the CATHOLIC WORLD CUP: Who are you praying for? Team Benedict or Team Francis?

Sunday's World Cup match will be absolutely historic for Catholics around the world and especially in the Vatican. For the first time in history two living pontiffs, Emeritus Benedict and Francis, will watch teams from their respective homelands meet for the World Cup final.

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VATICAN CITY (Catholic Online) - On Sunday, Germany will face Argentina in the World Cup final in Brazil. This historic match is being referred to as a "Catholic World Cup" precisely because a pontiff from each country resides in the Vatican.

Both popes are also sports fans so it is very likely they will watch the game if they are able. Although both men have duties and Benedict spends most of his time in prayer, it is very likely that the entire world, and that includes behind the walls of the Vatican, will pause to watch the match.

Already, prayers for both teams -and the two popes, are pouring in. The world also wants to know -is there a friendly wager between the two great men in the Vatican? Special prayers?

For now we can only speculate and neither man has issued any public statement, but it's likely we will hear from Pope Francis in advance of the event, and it would be encouraging to hear from Benedict as well, even if only though a statement.

Although the World Cup is competitive, it is a moment in time where all the nations of the world compete in a spirit of fraternity. It's a reminder that no matter where we come from, we all enjoy a good game. We appreciate great athleticism, achievement and fair play.

This is a great reminder that we are all brothers and sisters, children of the same family, the same God. We are as Pope Francis eloquently said, "One Human Family."

Of course, on Sunday, for a couple hours at least, a friendly rivalry will erupt and each of us will cheer and pray for our teams, and our beloved Popes. And that's perfectly okay.

So now, the only question that remains is what team are you for?

Team Benedict or Team Francis?

Click now to pray for your pope and team, and we will add your name to the list of those praying for this historic event, the world's first genuine Catholic World Cup!

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