The German national team will have an audience with football-loving Pope Francis as part of a team-building drive before a friendly against Italy.

Germany plays San Marino in a World Cup qualifier next Friday and will fly to Rome the next day, before travelling on to Milan for the friendly on November 15.

The world champions will spend the weekend in Rome to look at "cultural and historical" sights, have a "team evening" and then have the private audience with the Pope on Monday morning.

The Germans will then fly to Milan, where they play Italy the next day.