The Lionel Messi fandom reaches various countries, languages, and even religions. Pope Francis, an avid football fan, met with France’s prime minister Jean Castex.
Francis, who’s from Buenos Aires, Argentina, received a gift from the French politician that hits at his fandom for the sport. Castex presented the pope with a glass-framed number 30 home kit, signed by Messi.
In the past, Francis has stated that Messi is the best player to lace up a pair of boots, better than Pelé and Diego Maradona.
Le Club remercie le Premier Ministre @JeanCASTEX d'avoir offert le maillot du @PSG_inside dédicacé par Lionel Messi à l'occasion de sa visite officielle au Vatican. ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/xPqBrYQyg9
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) October 18, 2021
🇫🇷 x 🇻🇦 Audience | Le Premier ministre français @JeanCASTEX a été reçu par @Pontifex_fr ce matin, prélude à un déplacement destiné à commémorer le centenaire des relations diplomatiques entre la France et le Saint-Siège. → https://t.co/awfwdQo0P3 pic.twitter.com/jT1z07oz1N
— Vatican News (@vaticannews_fr) October 18, 2021
