Pope Leo XIV greeted the men’s and women’s basketball squads from Villanova University and the University of Notre Dame on Saturday, joking about his personal loyalties ahead of Sunday’s season-opening doubleheader in Rome.
About 7,000 student-athletes, coaches, staff members and supporters filled the Paul VI audience hall inside the Vatican, CBS News reported. The gathering took place following a special morning Mass held at the primary altar of St. Peter’s Basilica, celebrated by Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson Perez.
The weekend event, known as the Eternal City Tip-Off, was organized to honor the first American pontiff. The 71-year-old pope, born Robert Prevost in Chicago, graduated from Villanova in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Leo noted the natural tension between his Midwestern childhood and his collegiate ties.
“Growing up on the south side of Chicago, we oftentimes heard, ‘Go Irish.’ But as you all know, Prevost graduated from Villanova!” the pope joked to applause, according to Vatican News. “So, the Pope doesn’t take sides. Prevost has another opinion, but we won’t do that now.”
Courtside interactions and spiritual guidance
During the gathering, Leo showed off his personal appreciation for athletics. The pontiff, who is an avid tennis player, dribbled a golden basketball presented by the Villanova women’s squad and displayed the Wildcats’ “V” hand gesture, ABC News reported. When the Notre Dame contingent presented him with a personalized jersey, another golden ball and a banner reading “Pope Leo, Play like a champion today,” the pope stepped up on his chair’s platform to narrow the height disparity with the towering players.
The audience marked a major public appearance for the pontiff, who continues to recover after undergoing surgery for lung cancer on Oct. 13, according to ABC News.
In his formal address, Leo urged the teams to keep sportsmanship at the forefront and use athletics to cultivate character. “No one is born a champion, just as no one is born a saint,” the pope said. He emphasized that intense competition must not diminish mutual respect, stating that opposing squads “are certainly not enemies” and expressing hope that traveling supporters will connect with one another in Italy.
Historic matchup in Rome
The programs will settle the competition on the hardwood on Sunday at the Palazzo dello Sport, an 11,000-seat arena situated about a half-hour drive from the Vatican. The event represents the first regular-season women’s college basketball game ever staged in Italy, USA TODAY Sports reported.
The Notre Dame women, ranked No. 13 in the preseason coaches poll and led by All-American guard Hannah Hidalgo, enter the matchup as favorites against a Villanova squad led by head coach Denise Dillon and guard Jasmine Bascoe.
Administrators from both universities praised the historic nature of the trip. Notre Dame President Rev. Robert Dowd acknowledged Villanova’s unique papal tie but told reporters he remains confident the pontiff serves as a bridge builder for all faithful, CBS News reported. Villanova President Rev. Peter M. Donohue told attendees that gathering with Leo was the primary triumph of the journey, explaining that competition comes secondary to gratitude.
Leo noted that Sunday’s contests coincide with the Catholic feast of All Saints’ Day, reminding the teams that spiritual goals ultimately surpass physical achievements. “Our true goal, beyond emerging victorious in any one event, is to win the prize of everlasting life,” Leo said.
Sunday’s women’s game tips off at 12 p.m. Eastern time, with the men’s game following immediately afterward.
