Pope Leo XIV: Receives Villanova, Notre Dame Basketball Teams

• Pope Leo XIV welcomed Villanova and Notre Dame basketball teams at the Vatican ahead of their Rome season opener.
• The pontiff, a Villanova alumnus born Robert Prevost, declared neutrality in the upcoming game but playfully admitted his former self might disagree.
• The teams are in Rome for the Eternal City Tip-Off, a men's and women's doubleheader honoring the first American pope.
• Despite recent lung cancer surgery, the 71-year-old Pope kept the appointment, engaging with both teams and making a "V" gesture for Villanova.
• Pope Leo XIV urged attendees to embrace sports for saintliness, stating, "No one is born a champion, just as no one is born a saint."

No one is born a champion, just as no one is born a saint.

Pope Leo XIV recently extended a warm reception to the Villanova and Notre Dame basketball teams at the Vatican, just before their highly anticipated season opener in Rome. The pontiff, despite recovering from lung cancer surgery on October 13, 2026, kept his scheduled appointment on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The Paul VI Hall was filled with approximately 7,000 university representatives, including players, coaches, fans, and their families, creating a lively atmosphere of whooping and cheering. During the audience, Villanova University President Peter M. Donohue and basketball player Jasmine Bascoe presented Pope Leo XIV with a basketball, symbolizing the spirit of the upcoming Eternal City Tip-Off.

Addressing the assembled crowd, Pope Leo XIV, who was born Robert Prevost, declared his neutrality in matters of sport, particularly concerning the contest between his alma mater, Villanova, and fellow Catholic institution, Notre Dame. However, he playfully suggested that his former self might hold a different view. "Prevost has another opinion, but we won’t do that now," he remarked, eliciting laughter from the enthusiastic audience. This lighthearted moment underscored the unique connection the Pope shares with both institutions, setting a convivial tone for the weekend's events.

The primary reason for the gathering was the U.S. college basketball season opener, dubbed the Eternal City Tip-Off. This special event, created to honor the first American pope, features a men's and women's college basketball doubleheader scheduled for Sunday, November 1, 2026. The games will take place at the 11,000-seat Palazzo dello Sport, located about a half-hour drive from the Vatican. This unique setting provides a memorable backdrop for the Villanova Notre Dame Rome basketball clash.

Jay Wright, the former Villanova coach who famously led the men's team to two NCAA championships and was recently inducted into the National Collegiate Hall of Fame, emphasized the profound significance of the occasion. He stated that "this pilgrimage to Rome and meeting the pope is bigger than the game," highlighting the spiritual and cultural weight of the visit for the student-athletes and their supporters. The doubleheader promises to be a historic moment for college sports, intertwining athletic competition with a deeply personal connection to the Vatican.

Pope Leo XIV's personal history reveals strong connections to both competing universities. A 1977 graduate of Villanova, an Augustinian school near Philadelphia, he earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics. His birthplace in Chicago also places him geographically not far from Notre Dame, which is situated in South Bend, Indiana. An acknowledged avid sports fan and tennis player, Pope Leo XIV demonstrated his enthusiasm during the audience. He skillfully dribbled a golden basketball presented by the Villanova women’s team, showcasing his athletic side.

When the towering players from Notre Dame presented him with a jersey and another golden ball, Pope Leo XIV humorously stepped up to the podium, attempting to gain a few inches for a photo opportunity with the Fighting Irish. He gamely held a banner they gifted him, which read “Pope Leo, Play like a champion today,” a playful adaptation of Notre Dame’s iconic stadium sign. Not to be outdone, he also gave Villanova equal recognition, making the "V" gesture with his hand as chants of “Let’s Go ‘Nova” filled the hall. Villanova women’s coach Denise Dillon confirmed his allegiance, stating, “He is a true Villanovan,” and recounted how he immediately joined in when she called for "V's up." The Pope even began his address in Italian before switching to English, recalling his childhood in Chicago and hearing the "Go Irish" chant, before reiterating, "But as you all know, Prevost graduated from Villanova," and concluding, "So the pope doesn’t take sides," with the familiar addendum that "Prevost has another opinion."

Beyond the playful banter and personal anecdotes, Pope Leo XIV delivered a more profound message in his prepared remarks. He encouraged the teams and their families to view sports as a pathway to spiritual growth, urging them to embrace competition as a means to foster saintliness. He articulated this sentiment by stating, "No one is born a champion, just as no one is born a saint," emphasizing the journey and effort required for both.

The pontiff also issued a caution against allowing sporting rivalries to escalate into animosity. He expressed his hope that fans attending the Eternal City Tip-Off in Rome would seize the opportunity to connect and get to know one another, even amidst passionate cheering. He underscored this point by asserting, "In any competition, the members of two teams, even when they have a competitive rivalry, are certainly not enemies." His message advocated for mutual respect and camaraderie, hoping that players and fans alike would find opportunities for connection during their time in the Eternal City, transcending the competitive nature of college basketball.

This article reports on a human-interest event involving Pope Leo XIV and two US college basketball teams. It contains no actionable legal or compliance implications for lawyers or compliance officers.

Source: Original reporting via Associated Press