On Thursday, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, presented Pope Francis with a special gift during a meeting with religious leaders at the Vatican.

Burnham gifted the Pope with a Manchester United shirt signed by Lisandro Martinez, a defender who won the Qatar World Cup with Argentina.

The framed shirt also carried a personal message from Martinez, which read ‘Su Santidad, Con mucho cariño, LM.’ (Holy Father, with lots of love, Licha).

The meeting with the Pope was held to discuss the issue of climate change and was attended by Burnham, the Bishop of Salford, and the Rector of Manchester.

Burnham described the meeting as a ‘historic moment’, stating that it was the first time that all of Greater Manchester’s faith leaders and civic leaders had come together to unify their commitment to a greener Greater Manchester area.

Earlier in the day, Burnham tweeted to Martinez, informing him that he was about to give the Pope his gift. Martinez, nicknamed ‘The Butcher’, joined Manchester United from Ajax in the summer for £55m. However, he recently underwent surgery for a broken ankle, after suffering a fifth ankle fracture during a Europa League draw with Sevilla.

The meeting with the Pope highlights the growing concern over climate change, with leaders from all over the world coming together to discuss ways to tackle the issue.

Burnham’s gift to the Pope serves as a symbol of unity and hope, as people from different backgrounds and beliefs work together to make the world a better place.

In conclusion, the meeting between the Mayor of Greater Manchester and the Pope serves as a reminder of the importance of working together to tackle global issues such as climate change. It is through unity and cooperation that we can make a positive impact and create a brighter future for all.