SW News: Pope Francis is known for his surprise gestures and in one similar move, His Holiness autographed a sports jersey for soccer legend Lionel Messi. During the end of his general audience on January 12, the pope was approached by Bishop Gobillard who is in charge of the French Bishops’ Conference’s efforts for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The prelate walked to the pope with a gold jersey of the Vatican team and spoke with him for a moment. With a smile, the pontiff left a small note on the back of the jersey.

The bishop will personally hand over the jersey to Messi who is playing for Parisian football club PSG. The Osservatore Romano, the official newspaper of the Vatican, confirmed that the pope wrote a blessing for the Argentine football icon.

With this gesture, the exchange of jerseys between the pontiff and the footballer is complete. In October, visiting French Prime Minister Jean Castex had gifted the pope a jersey autographed by the player.

The French bishop came to the Vatican with a delegation of athletes including the skipper of the national soccer team Wendie Renard. In September last year, the prelate had participated in an athletics meet on the outskirts of the Italian capital under the colors of the Vatican Sports Association.