The Italy international and Euro 2020 champion was chosen by the Pope to oversee a charity fixture.
Lazio striker Ciro Immobile was in charge of a charity fixture between a selection of the World Roma Organization and the Vatican national team.
The selection team represents an association charged with protecting the rights of ethnic Roma inhabitants.
The game between the two sides was organized by Pope Francis the bishop of Rome, sovereign of the Vatican City State, and head of the worldwide Catholic Church.
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Pope Francis selected Immobile, who is still active as a professional footballer, to officiate the encounter between the two sides.
Immobile was not the only superstar involved in the charity game. Maurizio Sarri, manager of Italian Serie A side Lazio, as well as Edoardo Reja, now in charge of the Albanian national team, were the coaches selected by the Pope to give instructions to their respective teams.
Immobile did what was asked of him by the Pope as he ditched his role as a player to officiate the encounter.
Speaking after the encounter Immobile stated that officiating the charity game was a pleasurable experience for him.
He said, “A unique and exciting experience. It is nice to have taken part in this event wanted by the Pope. And it was an honor to be chosen as the referee of the match.“
Immobile is expected to return to action with Lazio when they travel to face Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow in a Europa League group stage fixture scheduled for Thursday, November 25, 2021.
