Cricketers heading from Rome to face the Church of England team in a cricket match have been given an official blessing by the Pope.
Francis signed a bat that the team will take during their five match tour of England which starts on Friday.
The Catholic team are being seen as the underdogs as they prepare to face the Anglican XI plus a team fielded by the Queen at Windsor Castle.
The matches have been set up to raise money for a joint Catholic and Anglican campaign against modern-day slavery and human trafficking.
It's thought the bat will be auctioned after the games to raise even more cash for the cause.
The final showdown between the Vatican and Church of England takes place on September 19.
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