Pope meets Villanova and Notre Dame basketball teams at the Vatican

The Villanova and Notre Dame basketball teams visited the Vatican for the Eternal City Tip-Off, an event established to honor the U.S.-born pope. During the meeting, which coincided with the U.S. college basketball season opener in Rome, Pope Leo XIV informed the athletes that he remains neutral. This encounter occurred while the Pope also led an audience with participants of the Jesus Youth International Conference on October 24, 2026, within Vatican City.