Pope Leo Will Meet with US College Basketball Teams Before Season Opener in Rome

Ahmad Austin Jr.Apr 17th, 2026, 1:01 pm

Andrew Medichini/AP photo

Pope Leo XIV is expected to meet with the basketball teams from the University of Notre Dame and Villanova before they open the season in Rome.

On Friday, the universities formally announced the “Eternal City Tip-Off,” which will see both the men’s and women’s teams face off in Italy on Sunday, Nov. 1. The games will kick off the college basketball season. With American college basketball coming to Italy, Pope Leo — the Catholic Church’s first-ever U.S.-born Pope — plans to meet with the teams.

As noted in a report from The Villanovan, the games are especially significant for the Pope as he graduated from Villanova in 1977.

The report continued:

Both programs will take part in a welcome reception overlooking Rome, according to the University release. Attendees will also have the opportunity for a shared Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica and a planned papal audience with Pope Leo XIV in advance of the games.

The release does not specify if “attendees” include fans.

Fans attending the excursion to Italy will also be able to take private tours of the Vatican Museums and other events before and after the games. The itinerary is designed to “reflect and elevate the institutions’ shared Catholic missions.”

The announcement of the pope’s plans to see the teams came amid his public feud with President Donald Trump.

Pope Leo has repeatedly condemned the war in Iran and expressed support for immigrants, drawing the ire of Trump and his associates.

It has also been reported that the Pope rejected Trump’s invitation to the U.S. to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

Earlier reporting indicated that Pope Leo would be in attendance at the actual games. According to reporter Christopher Hale, who runs the Substack Letters from Leo, sources confirmed to him that was not the case.

Update: Two sources connected to the situation tell me this isn’t true.

There’s currently no plan for Leo XIV to attend the college basketball game on November 1. https://t.co/ve56bMmQ8E

— Christopher Hale (@ChristopherHale) April 17, 2026

Editor’s Note: This story and its headline have been updated to reflect further details.

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!