Interesting fact:

Top 10 Famous Names Who Could Have Been Footballers (goal.com)

1) Karol Jozef Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) 

Before making the pilgrimage to Rome, the young Wojtyla played in goal for his home town side in Wadowice. The future Pontiff was known for his strong build and featured between the sticks for his University side in Krakow. Whilst in the Vatican the former shot-stopper retained his enthusiasm for the game, and goalkeepers in particular, giving Irishman Shay Given a Papal Blessing when the Manchester City goalkeeper got married in 2001.


That is so awesome that Shay Given was blessed by the Pope!