Pope Leo XIV welcomed delegations from the University of Notre Dame and Villanova University at the Paul VI Audience Hall in the Vatican on October 31, 2026. During the audience, the pontiff was presented with a ball as a gift from the two Catholic universities, which share a historic rivalry in college basketball. The meeting highlighted the connection between faith and sport, with the Pope receiving the token from representatives of both institutions.
The event took place on Saturday, October 31, 2026, and was captured by AFP photographers. The lighthearted gesture underscored the friendly competition between the two schools, both of which have strong Catholic identities and successful basketball programs.
