Total Pro Sports
Pope Leo XIV and Vice President JD Vance met at the Vatican this week, just ahead of U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to make progress on a ceasefire in Russia’s war in Ukraine.
This was more than just a meeting to speak on world events.
The vice president presented the first U.S. pontiff, who is a native of Chicago, with a Chicago Bears jersey.
The custom jersey had “Pope Leo XIV” emblazoned in white and orange letters on the back.
“Good choice,” the pope responded.
🚨JUST IN: Vice President JD Vance gifted Pope Leo XIV a custom Chicago #Bears jersey today, per the Vatican
👀
The Pope is a Bears fan. pic.twitter.com/kCado8vzcN
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) May 19, 2025
This was the first formal meeting in Washington’s effort to reset relations with the Vatican after Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, repeatedly criticized President Trump’s migration policy.
The pope is no stranger to Chicago sports, with his White Sox allegiance making headlines after his election.
Vice President JD Vance gifted Pope Leo XIV a custom Chicago Bears jersey after meeting at the Vatican on Monday with his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Vance gave Pope Leo XIV a Chicago Bears jersey with his name and the number 14, but that wasn’t all they gave him.
In a Vatican meeting that lasted approximately 40 minutes Monday morning, Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, also presented the new pope with a letter from President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump that invited him to the White House.
“There was an exchange of views on some current international issues, calling for respect for humanitarian law and international law in areas of conflict and for a negotiated solution between the parties involved,” according to a Vatican statement after their meeting.
The Chicago-born pope took the letter and put it on his desk, and in the video footage, he is heard saying, “At some point. “
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