Sunderland gets Pope's 'blessings' in bid to avoid relegation!

Pope Francis was unveiled as Premier League club Sunderland's newest fan after he was given a red and white Black Cats' shirt outside the Vatican this week by the club chaplain, who went in search of divine intervention.

According to the Mirror, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew, however, warned Sunderland would not have the blessings all their own way because skipper Fabricio Coloccini has met Argentinian Pope Francis, and they both support the same Buenos Aires side, San Lorenzo.

Pope Francis grinned as he showed off his strip with Papa Francisco emblazoned across the back, in one of the more bizarre North East derby stunts in recent memory, the report said.

Sunderland's club chaplain Father Marc Lyden-Smith said that he knew the Pope liked to watch the Premier League and the Italian League and checks the results.

He said that he got to meet him and when he presented the shirt, the Pope was delighted, adding that he explained to the catholic leader that Sunderland were at the bottom and needed prayers.