Paul Gascoigne Recalls Unforgettable Phone Call from The Pope
England football icon Paul Gascoigne has revealed a remarkable story about a surprise phone call from Pope John Paul II during a Tottenham Hotspur training session. According to the Daily Mirror, Gascoigne initially didn’t want to take the call, but was persuaded to do so after being told it was from the Pope.
In an interview with The Rest Is Football, Gascoigne recalled: "It wasn’t just [fans and journalists], it was from famous people as well. I was getting calls from George Clooney, Dustin Hoffman, Oprah Winfrey. I was getting calls from everywhere. The best one was I got told there was a phone call and I said ‘tell them to f off, I’m training’. They said ‘you better take the phone call’. I said, ‘no I’m training, tell them I’ll call them after my training’. They said it was important so I said, ‘who the f is it?’ They said it was The Pope, John Paul II."
Gascoigne’s response to the Pope’s call was characteristically blunt, as he let his thick Geordie accent loose when answering the phone. He said: "I picked up the phone and went, ‘Hi Pope, you alreet?’ I said, ‘hiya Pope, what do you want?’ He said, ‘come to the Vatican, I want to meet you’."
The Daily Mirror reports that Gascoigne’s meeting with the Pope was a memorable experience, with the footballer stating: "My Dad’s a Catholic. We went over and saw The Pope, it was unbelievable." Gascoigne’s career was marked by numerous highs, including representing his boyhood club Newcastle United and winning the FA Cup with Tottenham Hotspur.
Italia ’90 Memories
Gascoigne’s performances with England at Italia ’90 catapulted him to superstardom, and he has fond memories of the tournament. Reflecting on being booked in the semi-finals against West Germany – which meant he would have missed the final of the competition if England made it through – he said: "Obviously, I broke down crying. I think most of it wasn’t just because of the yellow card – I swear down I had probably the best time of my life."
The Daily Mirror notes that Gascoigne’s experiences at Italia ’90 remain cherished memories for the footballer, stating: "I’m someone that loves football and every day I’m training with the guys non-stop. Coming back to a hero’s welcome was incredible and I cried my eyes out for about an hour. Thinking, ‘this is where I used to play as a young kid and I’ve just come back from the World Cup’."
Pope Francis Passes Away
The news of Gascoigne’s encounter with the Pope comes as Pope Francis has passed away at the age of 88. According to the Daily Mirror, Pope Francis’ death was confirmed by Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, who stated: "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7.35am, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father."
The Daily Mirror reports that Pope Francis had suffered health issues for several months before his passing, and that his legacy will be remembered for his dedication to the service of the Lord and of His Church.
Tributes and Legacy
