They still play football in the playground adjoining Santa Rosa Church. It is one of the extra-curricular activities which helps motivate the children of that district of Lecce attend their catechism classes.
Father Damiano Madaro, priest of the church, surveys the astroturf pitch and recalls what it looked like some forty years ago, when their most-famous parishioner played here. ‘It wasn’t like this then,’ he says, glancing at the impressive facilities. ‘It was concrete and gravel. But yes, boys still play here. Only after Mass though, not during. Or after their catechism classes on Saturdays.’
In the shadow of the enormous bell tower which bears down on the playground, children dash from the cavernous and impressive church to this precious piece of free space to launch into fierce football contests.