Pope Leo gifted unexpected item and people
Nearly a month into his papacy, Pope Leo XIV—formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost and the first American to become pope—continues to receive gifts from world leaders. One such gift recently sparked controversy when U.S. Vice President JD Vance, representing President Trump at the papal inauguration on May 18, presented the pope with a Chicago Bears NFL jersey. The gesture puzzled many, as Pope Leo is known to be a devoted baseball fan with no ties to the NFL. Critics online questioned the relevance of the gift, pointing out his loyalty to the White Sox and joking about the mismatch.
In contrast, a recent visit by representatives of Villanova University, where Pope Leo studied math before graduating in 1977, was much better received. They gifted him a white Villanova baseball cap, which he immediately wore with a wide smile, delighting spectators. Social media users quickly drew comparisons between the pope’s lukewarm reaction to Vance’s jersey and his joyful response to the cap. Many praised the moment as a genuine expression of pride in his alma mater. Analysts suggest tensions between Pope Leo and the Trump administration may grow, given the pope’s previous criticisms of their right-wing policies.
@nbcnews Pope Leo sports a cap from his alma mater, Villanova University.