French President Emmanuel Macron presented Pope Leo XIV with a signed French national basketball jersey during their initial meeting at the Vatican. The leaders were scheduled to discuss the Middle East conflict and potential visits to France.

A signed French national team basketball jersey was among the gifts France’s president Emmanuel Macron bestowed upon Pope Leo XIV as he met the pontiff for the first time at the Vatican on Thursday. The two leaders were expected to discuss the conflict in  the Middle East during their meeting, while Macron was also expected to invite Leo to visit France.