It has been almost a month since Pope Leo XIV became the first-ever America-born leader of the Catholic Church. In a span of a month, he has received many gifts from his adoring associates, some conventional, some unusual.
Only last month, JD Vance, along with his wife, Usha, visited the Pope in the Vatican. The Second Couple presented him with a letter from the First Couple, Donald Trump and Melania, inviting him to the White House.
Vance also gifted him a Chicago Bears jersey, which Leo XIV received with much surprise. On social media, people discussed if it was a proper gift for the pontiff, who has otherwise been spotted rooting for the White Sox, showing his love for baseball instead.
This week, however, he received a new sports item and it could be his latest favorite. Unlike Vance, Villanova University has actually done some research about what he really likes. Or perhaps, the Catholic liberal arts university didn’t even need to find out much, given Pope Leo XIV was a student of maths there until his graduation in 1977.
As seen in a footage shared by Vatican TV, the Pope was presented with a baseball cap by the representatives from Villanova, an university run by the order of St. Augustine in Pennsylvania. The new leader of the Catholic Church seemed visibly thrilled to receive such a beloved gift, and he immediately showed his gratitude by putting on the baseball cap.
Online users immediately picked up on the visually contrasting expression on Leo’s face upon receiving the different gifts within a span of a month. “Pope Leo getting an invitation to the White House: that’s nice. Pope Leo getting a baseball cap: heck yeah!!” one user wrote on social media.
Once a Wildcat Always A Wildcat.
The Pope shows his support for his Alma-mater. \V/ pic.twitter.com/iHJPEaT2Mp
— Villanova Enthusiast 😺 (@NovaKnowsBall) June 4, 2025
“The contrast between this and when [Vance] gave him the jersey is INSANE,” another chimed in. A third added, “Pope Leo is really flexing that alma mater pride. I love to see it.”
“So much more upbeat with this than Vance’s visit,” another used quipped, while the other wrote, “Pope Leo XIV is Looking good in that hat.”
Last month, when the Vice President handed him the American football jersey, some online users were as confused as the Pope, perhaps. “He likes the White Sox,” one user pointed out.
The other wrote, “Lol, ik he’s a lifelong baseball fan; the fact that they brought that with no proof of him supporting that team is kind of funny.”
Vice President JD Vance met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican and gave the Chicago-born pontiff a Chicago Bears jersey bearing his name and the number “XIV” on Monday. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vance’s wife, Usha, also met with the pope.
A day earlier, Vance, a Catholic… pic.twitter.com/D3g2XEZl1F
— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 19, 2025
One individual also wrote, “Why does JD Vance get to present the Bears jersey? He has nothing to do with the Bears? Mike Ditka or another Bears legend should have presented.”
Even his own brother, John, told WGN News, “He [Leo XIV] was always a Sox fan…He was never, ever a Cubs fan, I don’t know where that came from.”
Pope Leo XIV was spotted cheering for the Sox during Game 1 of the 2005 World Series.
Pope Leo XIV received a Chicago Bears American football jersey from JD Vance.
