Fans of Leeds United have discovered an unexpected interest in the club after Pope Francis was presented with a football shirt at the Vatican in Rome.

Owner, Andrea Radrizzani posted the news and a photograph of the moment on Twitter.

Mr Radrizzani, who is Italian, said it was an "emotional and unique moment".

The Leeds' chairman met the Pope briefly at one of the regular Papal Audiences in St Peter's Square on Wednesday.

He presented Pope Francis with one of the clubs 2018/19 shirts printed with the number one and the name Francesco.

Online the shirts cost £50, but it's an extra £12.50 to add your name.

It's not known whether the front of the shirt carries the logo for Leeds' sponsors, the internet casino 32Red.

Fans are hoping the gift will encourage the Pope to become a Leeds United supporter, and took to social media to comment on the significance of the gift.

Emotional and unique moment to meet his holiness @pontifex and donate an @lufc jersey... ⚽ we have one special supporter pic.twitter.com/Z4hpbEXiGD

— Andrea Radrizzani (@andrearadri) September 5, 2018

Radrizzani's tweet simply said "we have one special supporter".

The Pope is known to be a football enthusiast.

But the chances that he will switch his allegiance from the Argentine national team and his hometown club San Lorenzo appear slim.

Despite San Lorenzo failing to win a match so far in the new season, the Pope has the reputation for being loyal to the things he believes in.

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