I couldn’t help it but to start off with a cliche – “The good, bad and the ugly” for some reason.

AC Milan’s Mario Balotelli and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi along with their Italian and Argentine colleagues had a VIP meeting at the Vatican with the first Latin American-born Pontiff of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis.

Ahead of their International friendly, stars from Italy and Argentina  enjoyed a private audience with the Pope at the Apostolic Palace. Italy host Argentina at Rome later tonight.

So here are some pictures: