June 22, 1986. Mexico City. Quarterfinal of the World Cup between Argentina and England. Diego Maradona leaps into the penalty area, raises his left hand, and sends the ball into the net with a punch. The referee fails to notice the foul. In an instant, Maradona will call this episode「The Hand of God」. Decades pass, and the same gesture — a hand raised to the sky — becomes a symbol not only of football audacity but also of an entire nation where football has long merged with religion. And on the papal throne in the Vatican sat Jorge Bergoglio, Pope Francis, an Argentine who, in his youth, played ball on the streets of Buenos Aires and cheered for「San Lorenzo」with the same fervor as for his flock. So what is this — divine providence, a humorous coincidence, or just an Argentine way of seeing the world through the lens of football magic?
Let's start with the fact itself. Maradona never hid: he deliberately hit with his hand, but he soon came up with a legend that immortalized the moment.「This was the hand of God, not mine,」he said after the match. Argentines, a deeply Catholic nation, embraced this phrase with enthusiasm. In their understanding, God could indeed intervene to punish the English for the Falklands War that happened four years earlier. The sacralization of football hooliganism is a purely Argentine phenomenon. In no other country would a handball have turned into a national myth of such magnitude.
But if you think about it,「The Hand of God」has become not just a football episode but a religious gesture. Maradona raised his fist like a priest raising offerings. The English still call it fraud, while the Argentines call it providence. And years later, on the papal throne is a man who grew up with this myth and who himself bears the name Francis — in honor of the saint known for his simplicity and love for the poor. Could it simply be a coincidence that the homeland of「The Hand of God」gave the world a pontiff who has repeatedly called football「the most important secondary thing in life」?
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in Buenos Aires in 1936. In his youth, he not only studied at the seminary but also played football at an amateur level. His position was midfielder, not the fastest but agile and intelligent. He cheered for the club「San Lorenzo de Almagro」, one of the five giants of Argentine football. It is said that in his youth, Bergoglio even stood in goal in seminary matches but then switched to the center field due to a knee injury.
Unlike many church hierarchs, Francis maintained his passion for the game well into old age. He received football delegations in the Vatican, met with Messi, Maradona, and other stars, always emphasizing that football is a school of solidarity, brotherhood, and humility. His famous phrase「football is poetry」has become the motto for many Catholic sports organizations. But the most amazing thing is that Francis never hesitated to speak of「The Hand of God」as a metaphor — he believes that there is room for a miracle in football, as in life, but not in a literal violation of the rules, but in the unexpected joy that gives to the game.
Once on an audience, he was asked if he considered Maradona's goal a divine intervention. The Pope laughed and replied:「I think God helps those who help themselves, but sometimes he closes his eyes to small mischief if it brings joy to millions」。This was a diplomatic way to avoid answering, but the fact that the pontiff of Argentine origin did not condemn this episode speaks volumes. In Argentina, football and faith are intertwined so tightly that even the Pope would not dare to criticize them sharply.
In Argentina, there is a saying:「God governs heaven, and football — earth」. Stadiums here are called「temples」, and fans come to matches as to a mass. There are even their own football「saints」— for example，「Curra」(priest) Jorge Brown, who created the first clubs in the 19th century. But the main miracle of Argentine football is its constant ability to rise from the dead. The national team loses finals for decades, and each time it seems that the end has come. But suddenly, in the very last moment, something inexplicable happens: a questionable goal, a fantastic save by the goalkeeper, a penalty that the referee awards under the whistle of the crowd.
Take the 2022 World Cup final against France, for example. The score was 3:3, and in the penalty shootout, Emiliano Martínez reflects the shot and then encourages the opponent — isn't this a psychological miracle? Or the goal of Angel Di Maria in the 2021 Copa America final, when he finished a seemingly hopeless pass? Argentines see this not just as skill but as a sign from above. And Pope Francis, who watched those matches on television, called the players and said that「heaven rejoiced with you」.
A special place in this history belongs to「San Lorenzo」, the club to which Francis has been loyal since childhood. Interestingly, this club has its own legend: it was founded in 1908 by the priest Lorenzo Massa, hence the name. That is, the team was originally「ecclesiastical」. In 2013, already as Pope, Francis asked the club leadership to send him a jersey with his name on the back, and he wore it during a meeting with children with disabilities. This gesture was interpreted as a blessing for all Argentine football.
But there were also funny coincidences: when the Pope was elected, some fans of「San Lorenzo」joked that now they had a「heavenly defender」who could influence referees' decisions. Although this is just a joke, it reflects the Argentine mentality — not to draw a clear line between the sacred and the game. For them, the Pope is not just the head of the church but also their guy who knows what an offside is and how important a good cross is.
One cannot forget that Pope Francis ascended to the throne in 2013, when Argentina was experiencing another economic crisis. For many, his election became a sign of hope, and football played the role of a national comforter. A nation that had almost not won major tournaments since 1993 suddenly found a moral leader who shared their passion. It is symbolic that it was under his pontificate that the Argentine national team broke the chain of failures, winning the Copa America and then the World Cup. Many religious Argentines sincerely believe that the Pope's prayers helped the team. Coincidence? Perhaps, but in a country with such a religious and football fervor, this is taken for granted.
By the way, Francis himself has often said that he prays for the team, but he emphasizes that「I do not pray for victory, I pray for fair play and joy」。But when victory does happen, he does not hide his joy, and this makes him closer to the people than any other pope in history.
Why does Argentina so cling to this image? Perhaps because this country has always been on the periphery of world centers and needed its own miracle to assert itself.「The Hand of God」has become a symbol that even the small can overcome the big in an unfair but impressive way. And when the pope, also an Argentine, talks about mercy and forgiveness, he seems to sanction this national trait — the ability to twist and use cunning for good, believe in luck.
There is another interesting fact: in Argentine slang, the expression「mano de Dios」is used not only for a football goal but for any unexpected good luck. For example, if a person finds what they need in time or avoids an accident, they say「That was the hand of God」。That is, it is not just a historical event but a part of the living language. And the Pope, as a carrier of this language, cannot deny its significance.
Brazil has its own「miracle」— for example, Pele's goal at Maracana, but there it is more of genius than divinity. In Italy —「The Divine Hand」of Totti, but it did not go beyond the club derby. In Argentina, the religious undertone permeates everything. This is due to the fact that Catholicism here is more emotional, syncretic, mixed with folk cults. Football has become part of the liturgy, not the other way around.
Pope Francis has strengthened this connection with his simplicity and use of informal language. He is not afraid to speak about football from the podium, and this does not reduce his authority but the opposite, enhances it. The world sees that the pontiff is a living person who can be delighted as a child with a scored goal. And this brings us back to the question:「The Hand of God」is always in Argentina because the Argentines know how to see God in everyday life, and football for them is the brightest example of this.
It is interesting that many Argentine footballers after the end of their careers became priests or actively participated in charitable activities. The national team often visits orphanages and churches before tournaments. This is not a show, but a deep tradition that goes back to colonial times. And when Pope Francis receives the team at his home, he does not just take a photo with them, he tells them:「You bring joy, and that is also a service」.
In this sense,「The Hand of God」is not only about deceiving the referee but also about the fact that there is a higher meaning in every game, regardless of the result. Maradona, who later repented of his hooliganism and even asked God for forgiveness, still remained in history as an instrument of divine will, because his goal brought joy to an entire nation. The Pope, more than anyone else, understands this duality — sin and redemption, cunning and purity.
As in any mythology, there are many funny rumors. One of the legends says that Pope Francis, still a cardinal, lit a candle every day for Argentina's victory in the 1986 World Cup. Another legend claims that after that famous goal, Maradona gave Bergoglio his jersey, and it is kept in a secret room in the Vatican. There are no documentary confirmations, but fans believe in this wholeheartedly.
Another joke: when the Pope was elected, a football mass was held in Buenos Aires, where instead of ordinary prayers, hymns of clubs were read. This was seen as a joke, but a joke that very accurately reflects the mentality. In Argentina, even the most serious things are melted through football, and the pontiff is no exception.
Rationalists will say that the connection between the Pope and「The Hand of God」is purely a chronological coincidence. The Pope became Pope in 2013, and the goal happened in 1986. There is no causal relationship. But sociologists note that in Argentina, there is a stable cultural pattern, which they call「myth-making realism」— the ability to turn real events into sacred legends. And the Pope, as the head of the church, supports this pattern, whether he wants it or not.
Psychologists add that football for Argentines is a collective therapy, a way to cope with anxiety and uncertainty. Belief in「The Hand of God」is a defense mechanism that allows to justify failures and attribute victories to higher powers. Pope Francis, with his emphasis on mercy, just gives legitimacy to this mechanism.
But no matter how scientists try to sort everything out, Argentines continue to believe in miracles. And every new goal scored in the last minute, every save, every victory after a penalty shootout makes them exclaim:「The Hand of God again！」And the Pope — from above, watching this, just smiles and makes the sign of the cross.
Interestingly, Francis has used football in interfaith dialogue. He has organized matches between Muslims and Christians, between priests and prisoners. And everywhere, the Argentine accent was heard — he spoke of「the team」as a model of society. In this sense，「The Hand of God」transforms from a national myth into a universal metaphor: every time we help each other, we extend the hand of God.
So the answer to the question posed in the title may be this:「The Hand of God」is always in Argentina because the Argentines constantly create it — on the field, in life, in prayers. And Pope Francis, as their fellow countryman, has become its main earthly embodiment, not imposing his will but simply sharing their passion.
To sum up, we cannot give a definitive scientific or theological answer. But we can state that Argentine football is a wonderful blend of chance, talent, and deep faith.「The Hand of God」is not just a goal, but a symbol of the national character where cunning coexists with sincerity, where defeat is seen as a test and victory — as a blessing. And Pope Francis, without intending to, has become a part of this mythology because he is its living embodiment — he too comes from the streets where football was the main school of life.
So the next time an Argentine scores a controversial goal or the national team wins in extra time, you will hear the same cry:「It's the hand of God！」And perhaps somewhere in heaven, Pope Francis will quietly smile and cross himself, because he knew: a miracle is always there where people believe in it. And in Argentina, they believe always.
New publications: |
Popular with readers: |
News from other countries: |
 |
Editorial Contacts |
About · News · For Advertisers |
 Indian Digital Library ® All rights reserved.
2023-2026, ELIB.ORG.IN is a part of Libmonster, international library network (open map) Preserving the Indian heritage |
|
US-Great Britain
Sweden
Serbia
Russia
Belarus
Ukraine
Kazakhstan
Moldova
Tajikistan
Estonia
Russia-2
Belarus-2
