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- calendar_today October 31, 2026
Villanova and Notre Dame Basketball Teams Meet Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV welcomed the men's and women's basketball teams from Villanova University and the University of Notre Dame to the Vatican on Saturday. Their visit, attended by around 7,000 fans, took place ahead of the universities' highly anticipated season-opening games in Rome. The event marks a historic celebration of sports, faith, and unity for both the teams and their supporters, with the opening games scheduled as a doubleheader at the Palazzo Dello Sport in Rome.
Papal Audience and Private Mass at St. Peter's Basilica
The day began with a special private Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, celebrated by Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson Perez. The English-language liturgy featured a notable applause for the student-athletes and included all the ceremonial elements typically seen in a papal Mass, with live coverage from Vatican Media. Afterward, thousands gathered in the Paul VI audience hall for a papal audience led by Pope Leo XIV, who has long been recognized as an avid tennis and sports fan.
Pope Leo XIV's Message: Unity Through Sports
Pope Leo XIV addressed the teams and the assembled crowd, highlighting the positive role of sports in fostering fraternity, solidarity, and peace. "By acting as a concrete means of bringing people together, athletics can teach the values of cooperation and mutual sharing. This is increasingly necessary in an age marked by the distance that can be created by technology," he said. The Pope emphasized that sporting rivalries should not overshadow the opportunity for fans and athletes to connect and grow together.
The Eternal City Tip-Off and Personal Ties
The teams are participating in the Eternal City Tip-Off, an event honoring Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope and a Villanova graduate from the class of 1977. The men's and women's programs from both institutions are set to play their season openers at the 11,000-seat Palazzo Dello Sport in Rome, about a half-hour’s drive from the Vatican. The atmosphere is one of camaraderie as well as competition, with Pope Leo XIV playfully mentioning his ties to Villanova but affirming his role as a pope for all.
Bridge Building Through Sportsmanship
Notre Dame President Rev. Robert Dowd noted the joy of sharing this unique moment with Villanova, fans, and the Vatican. He expressed appreciation for the pope's bridge-building message and the opportunity for fans and teams to come together in Rome. Rev. Rob Hagan, Villanova's longtime team chaplain, remarked on the pope’s close connection to his alma mater, recalling Pope Leo XIV's regular attendance at Villanova games in Philadelphia.
Celebrating All Saints' Day and Spiritual Growth
The games coincide with All Saints' Day, a significant date in the Catholic calendar. Pope Leo XIV highlighted the spiritual lessons found in athletics, stating, "No one is born a champion, just as no one is born a saint." He urged the teams and their supporters to embrace sportsmanship as a path to personal and collective growth, both on and off the court. "Our true goal, beyond emerging victorious in any one event, is to win the prize of everlasting life," he concluded.
Source: cbsnews.com.
