By Nick Georgandis

We're not saying Juan Martin Del Potro just became the favorite tow in both Rome and the French Open, but getting blessed by the new pope isn't too shabby of a good luck charm.

As a gift to His Holiness Pope Francis, Del Potro gave away his racquet which he used to defeat Roger Federer for the 2009 US Open title.

"It was an incredible experience with Pope Francis, something that I'll never forget,” said del Potro. “It was a dream come true for a guy like me. It was an unforgettable moment. I was very nervous before meeting him, to be able to congratulate him and talk with him. He was nice. Everybody knows he is very humble. Today was a day that I'll remember for ever."

Like Del Potro, the Pope is from Argentina.

Del Potro met the Pope at Mass at the Vatican on Thursday. Fellow Argentines Carlos Berlocq and Horacio Zeballos, South Africa's Kevin Anderson, Mexico's Santiago Gonzalez and Croatia's Marin Cilic also attended.

The Pope is a native of Buenos Aires, while Del Potro was born in Tandil, about 250 miles away.

Currently ranked No. 7 in the world, the 24-year-old Del Potro is 17-6 on the year.