It seems that Michael Sam wanted to make a statement when he proposed to boyfriend Vito Cammisano.

The first openly gay player to be drafted by an NFL team got down on one knee and popped the question while the couple were at the top of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

Whether it is meant to be or not, the location Sam chose would seem to be a statement to the Catholic Church which is still officially against same-sex marriage.

During his visit to the Philippines, Pope Francis claimed the family is being threatened by gay marriage.

‘The family is threatened by growing efforts on the part of some to redefine the very institution of marriage, by relativism, by the culture of the ephemeral, by a lack of openness to life,’ Francis said.

Sam, 25, was drafted by the St. Louis Rams but let go before the start of the regular season. He was then signed by the Dallas Cowboys for its practice team then later let go.

He hopes to play in the NFL next season.