The one-month-old supreme pontiff of the Catholic church, Pope Francis, continued to show his humane and humble side when he accepted, albeit giddy with excitement, a jersey shirt personally signed no less than by famous soccer player Lionel Messi of the Barcelona Football Club, a fellow Argentine compatriot.

A huge soccer fan, the 266th pope after Benedict XVI, is known for building up a collection of jerseys.

The pope's latest acquisition to his collection was a No.10 Barcelona replica shirt with the signature of Mr Messi, four-time world player of the year, on it. On the jersey was written "with much affection."

The pope just recently received a season ticket holder and a jersey, from Atletico San Lorenzo, his favorite team. On Monday, he received a shirt of the Spanish national team that was signed by all the players.

Despite being holed up at Vatican city, the former Buenos Aires archbishop still follows the adventures of his favourite ball clubs.

Prior to receiving this Messi shirt during Wednesday's general audience, Pope Francis thrilled the people with an impromptu hat-change.

In going through the rounds of people in St Peter's Square, one worshipper extended Pope Francis a white cap, in which the pope loving acknowledged and took it. He then took off his own white cap and made an exchange with the person.

The one who gave the hat, who was beyond the barricade, was so moved by the pope's humble gesture. Pope Francis kept it in place for the duration of the general audience.