Argentine soccer player and Paris Saint-Germaine (PSG) player Lionel Messi already has his Athletica Vaticana shirt signed by Pope Francis.

The Auxiliary Bishop of Lyon, Monsignor Emmanuel Gobillard, gave Messi the shirt on January 23, 2022. The shirt was signed by the Holy Father during Gobillard’s meeting with the Pontiff after the General Audience last January 12.

“Today I have given Lionel Messi the first official shirt of the Vatican signed by Pope Francis, with his blessing. A man of faith, Messi told me how important it was for him. Let’s pray together,” said the Prelate on his personal Twitter account.

Gift to Pope Francis

 Last October, the French Prime Minister, Jean Castex, gave Pope Francis a PSG shirt signed by Lionel Messi. “For Francis, with much affection, Leo,” reads the image published in the British newspaper “The Sun.”

 In a subsequent video, the Pontiff expressed his gratitude to the soccer player for the gift and the dedication, as well as his “closeness.” He also thanked him for his witness of not “getting too big for your boots.” “Keep that simplicity and may God bless you. Count on me for anything,” added the Pope.

Translation by Virginia M. Forrester