Look: Jim Harbaugh gave Pope Francis a Michigan helmet and a pair of Jordans
Michigan won’t forget the day that was in Italy.
On Wednesday, the Wolverines went to St. Peter’s Square and saw Pope Francis in the flesh. Getting to witness the leader of the Roman Catholic Church amidst a crowd of thousands will certainly be an unforgettable experience.
And after Wednesday, Pope Francis will have something to remember the Wolverines by.
Jim Harbaugh got the chance to present the Pope with a Michigan football helmet and a pair of Michigan Air Jordans.
Here’s a better look at the Pope’s new gifts:
Ahhhhh…🙌🏽 for his holiness @Pontifex Pope 266 "Non rinunciare ai tuoi sogni di un mondo più giusto" 🙏🏽 #ForzaBlu 🇺🇸🇮🇹⛪️ pic.twitter.com/7HdMxPl1Fc
— Michigan Equipment (@HailEquipment) April 21, 2017
A gift for @Pontifex from @HailEquipment. #HAILROMA pic.twitter.com/Jan52Mktyo
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) April 26, 2017
Harbaugh didn’t even wear his Michigan hat to meet Pope Francis:
Better shot of Harbaugh w helmet pic.twitter.com/TlwdUBOWsB
— angelique (@chengelis) April 26, 2017
Not great video. Harbaugh handing Michigan helmet and Jordans to the Pope pic.twitter.com/UDAW9TINxy
— angelique (@chengelis) April 26, 2017
His Holiness presents the pope with a Michigan football helmet. pic.twitter.com/oZLi8pagQw
— Scott Bell (@sbell021) April 26, 2017
Here’s how close Michigan players got to Pope Francis, courtesy of early enrollee Donovan Peoples Jones:
Amazing Time In Rome, Italy 🇮🇹… It Was Great Seeing @Pontifex In Person !!! pic.twitter.com/tGqIw5068e
— Donovan P. Jones (@dpeoplesjones) April 26, 2017
Apparently the visit with the Pope had quite the effect on Harbaugh, who was in rare form:
Sarah Harbaugh "I've never seen my husband at a loss for words" after meeting Pope "I was crying. I was trying to breathe. It was surreal"
— angelique (@chengelis) April 26, 2017
Unfortunately for Harbaugh, the Pope apparently didn’t have a clear idea what he was given by the Wolverines. In the Pope’s defense, he’s originally from Argentina, where American football isn’t exactly mainstream:
Sarah Harbaugh said the Pope looked at the Michigan helmet gift with curiosity like hmmmm what's this pic.twitter.com/dcO9l3GNDs
— angelique (@chengelis) April 26, 2017
Still, Harbaugh said that when Pope Francis got the helmet and shoes he nodded politely:
Harbaugh on handing the helmet and shoes to the Pope pic.twitter.com/oofYeEX6VB
— angelique (@chengelis) April 26, 2017
In addition to meeting the Pope, Harbaugh was hoping to have his youngest son, John, baptized by him. But according to ESPN’s Marty Smith, he’ll have to settle for a non-Pope baptism at the Vatican:
.@CoachJim4UM wife, Sarah, tells me son John will be baptized Sunday at Vatican (not by Pope). Daughter Addison will have First Communion.
— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) April 26, 2017
Harbaugh and Michigan seem to be in heaven in Rome.
How good of a mood was Harbaugh in? He didn’t seem to mind when a Michigan State graduate (a former MSU rower now covering the Pope) interviewed him after his visit with the Pope:
Too funny — Harbaugh being interviewed by somebody in an MSU shirt "that's OK — Big Ten. Big Ten" he said lol pic.twitter.com/yPLHYLEaf5
— angelique (@chengelis) April 26, 2017
Big Ten peace in Rome — Harbaugh w MSU grad reporter who lives here pic.twitter.com/QqRYKYSzUf
— angelique (@chengelis) April 26, 2017