Lionel Messi sends signed PSG shirt to Pope Francis as French Prime Minister delivers framed top
POPE FRANCIS has received a signed Lionel Messi shirt.
The Argentine, 84, is a football fan - and supported Buenos Aires side San Lorenzo as a boy.
And on a special visit from French Prime Minister Jean Castex, the Holy Father was treated to a very special gift.
Castex, 56, visited the Vatican to commemorate 100 years of diplomatic relations between France and the Holy See.
And he didn't come empty handed.
In the first reception of a serving French minister since 2009, Castex brought along a PSG shirt signed by Messi for the star's holy compatriot.
Messi, 34, joined PSG in the summer - in a huge coup for French football.
Pope Francis is known for being a big fan of the former Barcelona star's work.
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In 2016, he said: "For me, [Lionel] Messi is better than Maradona and Pele."
Although once quizzed about whether the attacker was like a deity himself, Pope Francis said: "Of course, he is very good, but he isn't God."
The Holy Father has also met Messi on two occasions.
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