The Vatican's sports association revealed that football superstar Lionel Messi has received a shirt signed by fellow Argentine soccer aficionado Pope Francis.

Messi, who returned to action on Sunday following a bout with Covid, had handed the pontiff an autographed piece of gear through French Prime Minister Jean Castex in October.

The yellow jersey of the Athletica Vaticana, the minor state's multi-sport team, was later presented to Messi by French priest Emmanuel Gobilliard in a unique shirt swap.

The scrawled signature in black pen by the 85-year old head of the Roman Catholic church was a "blessing" for the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, Athletica Vaticana said on Facebook.

Francis, a passionate supporter of the San Lorenzo team from Buenos Aires, first met Messi in 2013, shortly after his election as Pope.

Last year, the pontiff recalled how he and his childhood pals used to play football in the streets with improvised balls, which he said was enough to offer them joy.