Pope Leo XIV teases college basketball allegiance for Villanova-Notre Dame game
The 267th Pope has a special connection to both college basketball teams ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Pope Leo XIV grapples with the challenge of declaring allegiance for the upcoming Villanova-Notre Dame college basketball showdown in Rome. The 267th Pope playfully fielded fan queries about his own team preference during his Saturday sermon, likening the experience to the "Go Irish!" chants heard on Chicago's south side growing up.
However, Pope Leo's allegiance remains steadfast with Villanova, as his legal name, Robert Prevost, is a proud graduate of the Pennsylvania institution. Notre Dame, recognized as the leading Division 1 Catholic program, remains the subject of Pope Leo's sports fandom, which has garnered attention since his May 2025 installation.
The Pope's interest in sports extends beyond his tenure, with connections to the Chicago White Sox and the White Sox's 2005 World Series victory. Additionally, Pope Leo engaged with the Chicago Bears, receiving a jersey from U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance following his notable political ascent.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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