Brendan Rodgers has presented Pope Francis with a Celtic strip during a private audience at the Vatican.

The Parkhead side lost 2-0 to Lazio in the Italian capital as they were knocked out of the Champions League last night.

And the 50-year-old was captured at the ceremony presenting the head of the Catholic church with a signed shirt that said Francis on the back of it.

The Pope went on to praise the club for their "valued legacy" and the importance of the fact Celtic was originally established to help fight poverty.

He said: "I pray that you will continue to remember and bear witness to everything that makes sport genuinely good and noble.

READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers insists Celtic will address Champions League gulf in transfer window

"May Almighty God bless each of you and your families. I wish you a safe journey home to Scotland."

You can watch the clip in the video below.

VATICAN: Pope Francis welcomes Celtic Football Club from Glasgow at the Vatican today, and spoke about the 'valued legacy' of Celtic and how it was originally established to help fight poverty. "I pray that you will continue to remember and bear witness to everything that makes… pic.twitter.com/oktzuqxN4J