Celebrations at the Vatican As Cristiano Ronaldo’s Mother Meets With Pope, Presents Him Special Gift

• Cristiano Ronaldo’s beloved mother paid a courtesy visit to the Vatican where she met with the head of the Catholic Church
• She had declared she was ready to receive blessings from the pontiff as she expressed delight having finally met him
• Ronaldo’s mom also handed the bishop her son’s No.7 shirt of Portugal during her visit to Pope’s General Audience

Dolores Aveiro, the mother of Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, was at the Vatican to meet with the head of the Catholic Church according to reports.

The mother of the Manchester United star presented Pope Francis with a Portugal shirt of her son on Wednesday morning, Daily Mail reports.

It was gathered that Ronaldo’s mom joined other guests for Pope's General Audience, which is a weekly occasion during which the head of the Catholic Church greets members of the public and offers guidance.

Moments before meeting with the supreme pontiff, Dolores wrote that she was “ready to receive the Pope's blessing”.

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And upon meeting Pope Francis in Rome, Dolores added:

"A very unique emotion."

Upon meeting the Bishop of Rome, Dolores presented the Argentine with a Portugal shirt donning the name of her son, GOAL added.

Having had her picture taken alongside the Pope, she wrote on Instagram:

“A very unique emotion, thank you.”

Pope Francis earlier handed Lionel Messi a shirt

Meanwhile, seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi was a recipient of a signed shirt from fellow Argentine football fanatic Pope Francis, according to the Vatican’s sports association.

The former Barcelona captain had in October 2021 handed a signed shirt to the pontiff through French Prime Minister, Jean Castex.

In what could be referred to as an unusual short-swap, the Athletica Vaticana — the tiny state’s multi-sport team — was then given to Messi by French bishop Emmanuel Gobilliard.

Gobilliard, who is billed to become the Holy See’s delegate to the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024, said on Twitter.

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“A man of faith, Messi told me how important this step was for him. We prayed together.”

Zlatan excited to meet with Pope

Sports Brief earlier reported that football icon Zlatan Ibrahimovich could hardly hide his delight after he met with Pope Francis at the Vatican last December.

Complete with a stunning casual look, Zlatan was all smiles as he hung out with the Pope.

The 40-year-old took to social media to share a snapshot of the papal visit, with both the forward and the Pope cutting an easy look.