Mulryne, who is reported to have once earned £600,000 a year, has also taken a vow of poverty.

He made his debut in 1997 with Manchester United and won 27 caps for Northern Ireland. Read more

Portuguese production company Imaginew said Mourinho will be the voice of the Pontiff in four languages - Portuguese, English, Spanish and Italian, the Catholic Herald reported.

These are "the languages of the countries where he [Mourinho] has already been a champion", the company said.

The film, called Fe, is being made to mark the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to three children in Fatima.

It is scheduled to premiere on May 13, 2017, the centenary of the first apparition.

The choice of Mourinho has been approved by the Vatican, according to reports in Portugal.

Rui Pedro Oliveira, who signed Mourinho for the voiceover for Imaginew, said the football star manager took up the offer "without reticence or demands".

Mourinho is expected to donate his fee from the film to a charity for underprivileged children.

The 52-year-old Portuguese manager, who is regarded as one of the greatest football bosses of all time, has spoken of his Catholicism.

"I believe totally, clearly," he told the Telegraph in an interview last year.

"Every day I pray, every day I speak with [Jesus]. I don't go to the church every day, not even every week. I go when I feel I need to. And when I'm in Portugal, I always go."

He said he prays for his family life and for happiness.

"But I can say the reality is I never go to the church to speak with him about football. Never!"

He and his wife Tami support several causes including a Catholic food programme in Setúbal, Portugal.

Mourinho's first job was teaching children with Down's syndrome and with mental disabilities.

From there he went on to coaching 16-year-olds before entering professional football.

Sources

• Catholic Herald
• The Telegraph
• Image: Givemesport.com

Former Northern Ireland international Phil Mulryne, 34, has enrolled at the Pontifical Irish College in Rome.

During his time as a footballer Mulryne dated a model, Nicola Chapman.

He was once sent home from the Northern Ireland squad in 2005 after breaking a curfew to go drinking.

His career was cut short in 2008 by injury.

But after football he became involved in charity work in Ireland and turned his life around.

He was invited to study for the priesthood by Bishop Noel Treanor of Down and Connor.

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