Pope Francis receives signed jersey from Messi

Vatican City: Pope Francis was presented with a jersey signed by Argentine soccer star Messi by a group of priests during Wednesday`s public audience.

Messi`s FC Barcelona jersey will join the Spanish national team jersey given to the pontiff on Monday by Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy during an audience at the Vatican. The 76-year-old Argentine-born pope, a big soccer fan, has been building up quite a collection of jerseys. His favourite team, Atletico San Lorenzo, recently presented the pope, a season ticket holder, with a jersey. IANS