Pope Leo XIV showed off some impressive handling skills to take ownership of a very special Tyrone number 14 jersey at the Vatican.
Leo, the the first pontiff from the United States, fielded the ‘Leo 14’ top thrown to him by Tyrone television producer Aidan Gallagher.
Aidan said: “The Tyrone number 14 jersey has always had a special meaning for the Tír Eoghain faithful. Pope Leo clearly enjoyed getting his hands on his own jersey.
“He’s an honorary Tyrone man now and the successor to our own ‘St Peter’ (Peter Canavan).”
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Aidan was in Rome on Wednesday to attend the Pope’s weekly General Audience and promote a new documentary series ‘The Kingship of Christ’.
“We were here to show our television work in the Vatican’s cinema,” Aidan added.
“We had the Leo 14 Tyrone jersey made especially by O’Neills to give to Pope Leo.
“His handling skills from the Popemobile were mighty.”