Bayern’s private audience with Pope Francis following the Champions League fixture away to AS Roma last October was highlight for the club last year. Nine months after what Karl-Heinz Rummenigge called “a magnificent experience”, the FCB chairman presented a cheque for €1 million to bishop Dr Georg Gänswein prior to the Audi Cup final.
“At the time, we promised to donate the proceeds from a friendly match to aid charitable causes,” Rummenigge informed the 70,000 crowd at the Allianz Arena. The Pope will now decide which needy persons, regardless of creed and nationality, will benefit from the donation.
“On behalf of Pope Francis I would like to express many thanks for the donation,” the bishop replied. The “born Bayern fan,” as he described himself, heads the papal household in the Vatican. “It is good that promises are not only made but also kept. Be assured that the money will go to the right places.”
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