The Italy and Argentina squads will be granted an audience with the Pope at an international friendly at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico next month, the Italian Football Federation has confirmed.

Pope Francis – born Jorge Mario Bergoglio – became the first Argentinian pope upon his election in March and the footballing federations of both Italy and his homeland have now agreed to “pay homage” to the pontiff.

An Italian Football Federation statement read: “The Stadio Olimpico in Rome will host an en-counter between Italy and Argen-tina on August 14, to pay homage to the papacy of Pope Francis.

“The two teams will receive an audience with the Holy Father of the Vatican on the occasion of the match.”

Italy have not played Argentina since February 2001 when the Albiceleste won 2-1 in a friendly match held at the Stadio Olimpico.

The nations also went head-to-head during the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy where a penalty shoot-out was required to send the visitors through to a final defeat against West Germany.

Italy met Argentina in the group stages of both the 1982 and 1986 World Cups. The Azzurri went on to win the first tournament before Diego Maradona inspired Argen-tina to the trophy in Mexico four years later.