Wolverhampton Wanderers’ dramatic FA Cup victory on Saturday, 10th January has sparked claims of divine intervention, after a lifelong supporter said the Pope prayed for the club during a private meeting.

Jim Sharma, a 65-year-old taxi firm owner from Wolverhampton, said the team’s sudden change in fortunes followed his November meeting with Pope Leo XIV, after Wolves had gone 19 league games without a win.

Speaking to BBC Radio WM, Sharma said he thought, “let’s give him a Wolves shirt and see if it can make any difference", adding that the pontiff later told him he would “say a prayer”.

The meeting took place during Sharma’s trip to Turkey last year, where he was granted permission by the Vatican to gift the Pope a specially printed Wolves shirt reading “Pope” and the number one. 

According to Sharma, the Pope smiled, remarked that his name was on the shirt, and agreed to pray for the club, Vatican Media reported.

Since then, Wolves recorded a 6-1 FA Cup win against Shrewsbury, easing pressure after fan protests and the departure of former executive chairman Jeff Shi. 

Sharma said the moment highlighted the power of faith, adding he “didn’t realise how big a moment it was” until afterwards.