Pope Francis caught up in Cubs fever

The Chicago Cubs's spectacular World Series win, their first in 108 years and considered a miracle by many long-suffering fans, has been recognised by the leader of the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis received a blue Cubs cap and a baseball signed by the team from Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich, who posted a photo on Twitter on Tuesday.

"News of the @Cubs win reached all the way to the #Vatican! @Pontifex can now celebrate with us and he asks for our prayers," Cupich wrote.

The pope will ordain Cupich as a cardinal on Saturday.

The Cubs won the best-of-seven match-up on November 2, coming back from a 3-1 deficit and winning what many deemed the best final World Series game in history by a score of 8-7.

It was the team's third championship, having also won in 1907 and 1908.

Pope Francis is from Argentina and is primarily a football fan. On Monday he granted a private audience to World Cup champions Germany.