Pope Leo XIV spins a basketball with the Harlem Globetrotters

If the whole Pope thing ever slows down, Pope Leo XIV might have a second act waiting – basketball.

During a general audience at St. Peter’s Square this week, the Harlem Globetrotters stopped by and gave the pontiff a quick lesson in one of their signature tricks: spinning a ball on his finger.

With a little help, Leo got it going, earning applause from the crowd and a viral moment that feels very on-brand for a pope who’s quietly become one of the more relatable and cooler figures in the Vatican.

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Video shared online shows him smiling, shaking hands with the players, and clearly enjoying the moment. It marks a lighter side that’s been popping up more and more since he stepped into the role in 2025.

They later presented him with his own Harlem Globetrotters jersey, and he was all smiles as he held it up for a photo opp. 

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It marks a tradition; the late Pope Francis did the same thing with the famous group in 2014. 

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Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, Leo made history as the first American pope, and he hasn’t exactly left his sports loyalties behind. 

Shortly after his election, fans quickly dug up a throwback image of him in the stands at the 2005 World Series, cheering on the Chicago White Sox as they swept the Houston Astros for their first title in 88 years. His brother even clarified for the record: he was “never, ever a Cubs fan.” And Chicago hasn’t forgotten. 

The White Sox are planning to honor their most famous supporter later this summer with a themed giveaway during a game against the Cincinnati Reds, with Pope hats included.

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His basketball ties run just as deep. A graduate of Villanova University, Leo has long followed the school’s teams, and it’s believed that he still keeps tabs on the so-called “Nova Knicks,” which is a cluster of former Wildcats now playing for the New York Knicks, including Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart.

He’s also been linked to longtime admiration for the Chicago Bulls’ glory days with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, which makes the Globetrotters moment feel less random and more like a full-circle crossover

It’s that mix, tradition with just enough personality, that defines Leo’s first year. Whether he’s leaning into his Chicago roots, texting with former Villanova staff, or casually spinning a red, white, and blue basketball in Vatican City, he’s proving that even the most historic roles can still have a little flair.