VATICAN CITY -- Look out, Lady Gaga. The pope is joining the Super Bowl frenzy.
In a papal first, Pope Francis has recorded a video message that will be shown to tens of thousands of fans during Sunday's Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons.
A Vatican spokesman says the pope's Spanish-language message is expected to be played on jumbo-sized screens inside the stadium in Houston, Texas, before the game or during the first quarter.
Translations provided by the Vatican say the pope's message includes his expression of hope that the Super Bowl will provide "a sign of peace, friendship and solidarity for the world.