Pope Leo received delegations from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Villanova Wildcats men's basketball teams at the Paul VI Audience Hall in the Vatican on October 31, 2026, ahead of the opening of the U.S. college basketball season.
During the audience, the pope held a basketball, accepted a basketball and a jersey, and posed for photographs with both delegations. He was seen making a victory sign while greeting the Villanova Wildcats group.
The event marked a rare intersection of sports and diplomacy as the two NCAA programs prepared for their season openers. Reuters photographer Remo Casilli captured the visit, which included multiple photo opportunities with each team.
