Though he’s used to the other kind of football actually played with feet, Pope Francis was presented an autographed Steelers (American) football today by Saint Vincent Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit in Rome.
The ball was a joint gift from the Rooney family, which owns the team, as well as Nowicki and Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, where the Steelers hold their training camps.
The ball was autographed by Steelers chairman Dan Rooney, team president Art Rooney II, head coach Mike Tomlin and several unspecified players.
A native of Argentina, Pope Francis has routinely had audiences with soccer teams from around the world.