The internet sports world has done it... again. As America’s first-ever pope, Robert Francis Prevost—who would be known as Leo XIV—has his fair share of sports connections from his Chicago roots and his stay in Villanova.
The whole world held its breath when cardinals elected the new leader of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church on early Friday morning (PH time), May 9.
Robert Francis Prevost chose the papal name Pope Leo XIV, replacing Pope Francis to become the 267th occupant of the position first held by St. Peter. He is the first American pope.
With that, some of the most prestigious figures in the sporting world — most notably Real Madrid C.F and FC Barcelona — extended their remarks in a landmark moment.
“Real Madrid C. F., its president, and its Board of Directors would like to congratulate the new Pope Leo XIV and wish him a bright future leading the Catholic Church and the Christian community, confident that his papacy will help deepen peace, solidarity, fraternity, and justice in the world,” the statement wrote.
Meanwhile, Barcelona, through their official X account, congratulated the newly elected Pope Leo XIV and wished him a papacy “full of peace and understanding in the world.”
As America’s first elected pope, it’s only natural for the country’s sports fans to jive in the moment considering Prevost’s fascinating background.
The 69-year-old grew up in Chicago, a sports-rich state where the likes of the Bulls in the NBA and the White Sox and the Cubs in the MLB are based.
Pardon My Take, a sports podcast, even shared a picture on X of the new pope donning a Chicago Bulls jersey mimicking the iconic Michael Jordan free-throw dunk from his legendary 1987 Slam Dunk contest conquest.
Speaking of the Bulls, one user couldn't help but create a video of the pope's official entrance to the sound of "Sirius," by The Alan Parsons Project.
It was the iconic music that the Jordan-led Bulls in the mid 80’s and the rest of 90’s have played for team introductions.
While many are wondering which baseball team Pope Leo XIV supports, his brother John Prevost set the record straight in an interview with WGN-TV.
“He was never ever a Cubs fan so I don’t know where that came from. He’s always a Sox fan,” Prevost revealed.
That statement, though, was enough for the three-time World Series champions to extend their congratulatory remarks.
Pope Leo XIV even went to the same high school as current New York Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson did.
Brunson, alongside Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart, went to college in Villanova--where Prevost got his degree in Mathematics in 1977.
This coincidence led to long-time Knicks fan Spike Lee suggesting that the papal choice is practically a celestial forecast of the team's fortunes.
"The Vatican voted in Robert Francis Prevost as their 267th pontiff," he wrote. "He is the first Pope from the United States of America, born in Chicago, Illinois. And for my NEW YAWK KNICKS fans, his alma mater is Villanova University," Lee wrote.
He added: "What a holy blessing. The Knickerbockers are gonna win the 2024-25 NBA world championship. It is divinity. God Bless."
Currently, the Knicks are holding a commanding 2-0 series lead against the defending champion Boston Celtics in the East semifinal duel after two historical 20-point comebacks at the TD Garden.
Who knows right? After all, Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup during Pope Francis' time