Pope Francis smiles as he plays with a basketball next to a member of the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team during the weekly audience in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican May 6, 2015. (Osservatore Romano via Reuters)
Pope Francis has picked up a new trick on the basketball court. More pics after cut..

On Wednesday, he became an honorary member of the Harlem Globetrotters and learned the players’ signature spin during the general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Granted, the ball fell seconds later but — still, chalk up some points for the pontiff.

Source: AP
He even got a jersey, marked with the No. 90 and his name: Pope Francis.
“We are very humbled by the opportunity to bestow this honor upon Pope Francis,” Globetrotters president Kurt Schneider said in a statement. “His tireless work for the well-being of the poor and elderly, his humanitarian efforts and his commitment to bridge gaps between people of various cultures are ways the Harlem Globetrotters also aspire to touch lives around the world. He embodies the Globetrotters’ efforts to provide service, smiles and sportsmanship globally.”

Pope Francis smiles as he poses with members of the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team during the weekly audience in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican May 6, 2015. (Osservatore Romano via Reuters)
Globetrotters stars Hi-Lite Bruton, Ant Atkinson, Big Easy Lofton and Flight Time Lang met with Pope Francis to honor him as their the ninth honorary member. Alas, he’s not the first pope to make the team. In 2000, Pope John Paul II received the same honor.
But he was invited to join the Globetrotters’ games while they’re in Italy for their2015 international tour, which includes Italy, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Finland.