We have a new pope! It's Pope Leo XIV, the first-ever American pope whose name previously was Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. Who was born in Chicago and who attended Villanova University.
And while we're all making NFL jokes about the cardinals making a pick, or news-dumping stuff in the middle of all this (hello, Pittsburgh Pirates firing their manager), there are a lot of desperate New York Knicks fans who are clinging to the fact that the pope went to Villanova.
Why? Because -- paired with a second straight miracle win over the Boston Celtics -- maybe it means big things for the Villanova-filled Knicks team.
Here's a sampling of the reaction on X (formerly Twitter):
The Pope is a Villanova guy. Knicks might just win the whole thing.
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) May 8, 2025THE NEW POPE IS CARDINAL PREVOST FROM VILLANOVA
VILLANOVA!!!!!!
KNICKS ARE GOING ALL THE WAY pic.twitter.com/gICW7cCQW8
The new Pope, Leo XIV, is a Villanova graduate.
It’s meant to be. pic.twitter.com/HqFaGY5EuN
New Pope went to Villanova. For the first time ever, God is smiling upon the Knicks pic.twitter.com/1DJNJ515vw
— 6 Seasons and a Moving Screen (@NBAGreendale) May 8, 2025We'll see if that's the case!
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Robert Prevost AKA Pope Leo went to Villanova; Knicks fans have hope
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