Photos: Football All-Stars Honour Pope’s Invitation To Play In “Match Of Peace”

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All stars: PLayers from all around the world and different religious backgrounds enjoyed an audience with football fan Pope Francis

Football legends past and present came together to promote an end to hostilities in Gaza at the Interreligious Match for Peace staged Rome. The exhibition match was arranged at the behest of Pope Francis, himself an avid supporter of Argentine side San Lorenzo, to to promote a diplomatic solution to the ongoing crisis in Gaza. The leader of the Roman Catholic church met several football legends including Diego Maradona, Carlos Valderrama and Allesandro Del Piero at the Vatican before the game. Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger was the referee. More pictures after the break

Rolling back the years: Diego Maradona (L) and Roberto Baggio combined for the Italian to score Scholas' second goal

Shouldn't you be somewhere else? Eyebrows were raised when Arsene Wenger chose to manage one of the side on transfer deadline day

Still got it? The Argentina legend warms up at the Olympic Stadium in Rome

All star cast: Football legends from past and present line up for the team photo prior to the game

Diego Maradona met Pope Francis at the Vatican today ahead of an inter-religious charity match tonight

Argy bargy: Diego Maradona celebrates his team taking the lead in the first half at the Olympic Stadium in Rome

Italian job: (L-R)  Paolo Maldini, Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon share a joke ahead of the game 

Keep uppy: Diego Maradona claimed it was an honour to be invited to take part in the game

Former France striker David Trezeguet (pictured left) and his family pose with Pope Francis 

The perfect 10: Football legend Diego Maradona attempts to get on the scoresheet with a free-kick

The game will take place at the Olympic Stadium in Rome and aims to promote world peace and understanding

On the spot: Former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko pulled a goal back for Pupi with the penalty

Maradona was among a list of stars that met Pope Francis today before the 'football match with peace'

The idea arose in April 2013 following a conversation between former Argentine and Inter Milan player Javier Zanetti (pictured right) and Pope Francis