Jim Harbaugh gives Pope Francis a Michigan helmet and Jordan shoes

Is Pope Francis now a Michigan fan?

The leader of the Roman Catholic Church got a gift of a Michigan helmet and Jordan-brand shoes from Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh at the Vatican on Wednesday.

“He took it, smiled, nodded his head and then gave it to somebody next to him,” Harbaugh said of the Pope. Given Harbaugh’s description below, it doesn’t sound like the Pope was immediately converted to Michigan fandom. He’s probably still a fan of Notre Dame.

Per the Detroit News, it wasn’t just any Michigan helmet, either. The helmet is “a specially designed Michigan winged helmet featuring the Italian and American flags and the number 266 for Pope Francis, the 266th head of the Roman Catholic Church.”

Players were not required to attend the papal audience at the Vatican on Wednesday. The Wolverines came to Italy over the weekend and begin their European practices on Thursday.

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Nick Bromberg is the editor of Dr. Saturday and From the Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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