Harbaugh presents Pope Francis with Michigan helmet, shoes
He's had plenty to soak in since arriving in Italy for the end of spring practice, but Jim Harbaugh's richest experience came Wednesday, when he presented Pope Francis with a Michigan helmet and shoes.
"He looked at the helmet and he took the pair of (Air) Jordan sneakers - it was a box with the helmet on top - and he took it and smiled and nodded his head and then gave it to somebody next to him," an elated Harbaugh told reporters in Vatican City.
@UMichFootball Coach Jim Harbaugh giving #PopeFrancis a little something from Michigan this morning. @CoachJim4UM pic.twitter.com/tTxSwJgZ2T
— Alan Holdren (@AlanHoldren) April 26, 2017
The Wolverines have been in Italy since April 22, but Wednesday marked their fourth and final leisure day. The team is set to stage its last three practice sessions of the spring April 27-29, before flying back to Ann Arbor.
The type of limited edition shoes that Harbaugh planned to give Pope. These are for arch bishop pic.twitter.com/pU3ZA7gsay
— Jeff Seidel (@seideljeff) April 26, 2017
"I've never seen my husband at a loss for words," Harbaugh's wife, Sarah, said of the experience to Angelique Chengelis of The Detroit News. "I was crying. I was trying to breathe. It was surreal."
Sarah accompanied the team to Italy and sat next to the fourth-year Michigan coach during Wednesday's activities.
Jim Harbaugh: 'This week has been the experience of my lifetime.' pic.twitter.com/S6c5rBeo9L
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) April 26, 2017
Harbaugh was scolded by a security guard for playing catch with a football in a shopping mall Monday, but has otherwise been all smiles.