Pope Francis tells Juventus and AC Milan stars to set example as he meets Mario Balotelli and co before Coppa Italia final

Pope Francis delivered a message to Juventus and AC Milan stars on Friday as he looked to inspire them ahead of the Coppa Italia final.

As if there wasn't enough pressure on the two sides ahead of Saturday's clash at the Stadio Olimpico, the leader of the catholic church reminded them they were an example to all of Christendom when they visited the Vatican.

The Milan squad, including Mario Balotelli, visited the Pope at the Vatican while Paul Pogba, the Juve squad and club legend Pavel Nedved also got to meet the papal leader.

The AC Milan squad pose with Pope Francis inside Vatican City ahead of the Coppa Italia final

Barbara Berlusconi (left) and other members of the Milan board hand the Pope a club shirt

Pope Francis was handed a shirt from each side as well as a small replica of the Cup and an official Serie A ball.

'You attract the attention of these people that admire you, and therefore you are called to behave so that you can always emphasise the human qualities of athletes, committed to showing the true values of sport,' romereports.com quoted the Pope as telling the players.

Champions Juventus can secure a second double in a row with a win on Saturday, but for Milan - who finished seventh in Serie A - the game is a chance to salvage their season.

The Juventus players also posed for a snap with the head of the catholic church ahead of Saturday's final

Silvio Berlusconi (second from right, rear) told the Milan players they won't be paid if they lose the final

Should they fail to lift the cup they will be resigned to a third season in a row without European football, unthinkable for a club of Milan's stature. 

Things have become so drastic at the San Siro that club president Silvio Berlusconi has threatened to stop paying his players should they lose.

'We cannot afford to carry on making fools of ourselves,' Berlusconi said. 'These people here are the ones who give us a living because they give us money as sponsors.

'They have just told me now that if you keep playing the way you are, they aren't going to give us any more money. So I won't pay you.

'In fact, if you want your money you would have to take me to court for it, and do you know how long it takes for a civil action case to be heard in Italy? Eight years.'