Staff Reports
Pope Leo XIV gave Americans a small, warm moment this week when he told reporters aboard his flight to Spain that he “would certainly support the U.S.” at the World Cup. It was a short, on‑the‑record line, the kind of human touch that makes big public figures seem real for a minute. For a pope born in Chicago who served decades in Peru, that choice says as much about identity as it does about soccer.
Pope Leo XIV’s on-the-record remark
On the papal flight as he began his apostolic journey to Spain, Pope Leo XIV — who once went by the name Prevost — told the press he “would certainly support the U.S.” at the World Cup and added he didn’t know how many matches he’d be able to see but would try his best. He even joked about club loyalties: “The Pope is for all teams. Prevost is for Real Madrid.” It was all light, human stuff, exactly the kind of moment Vatican journalists carry home to readers around the world.
Why a pope’s World Cup pick matters
Some will sneer and call it fluff, but these moments matter. When the leader of the Catholic Church picks a team, even in a passing joke, it’s a tiny boost of moral support and soft power for Americans. The World Cup 2026 is being held across the U.S., Canada and Mexico and will shine global attention on this country. A friendly nod from the Vatican doesn’t change the outcome on the field, but it helps shape how the world sees us — cheerful, global, and impossible to ignore when it comes to sports and culture.
Roots, loyalties, and a pope who lived abroad
Pope Leo’s choice is easy to understand. He’s Chicago‑born, took the name Prevost in private life, and spent decades serving as a missionary and bishop in Peru. He once said he might back Peru if faced with a U.S.‑Peru matchup, but Peru didn’t qualify for this tournament. So his public bet on the U.S. this year is as natural as a hometown fan cheering at a home stadium — and a reminder that church leaders can still be people with hometown loyalties.
Sport, diplomacy, and the good kind of patriotism
There’s also a larger point. The pope has framed sport as a tool for fraternity and encounter, and that’s fine — sport builds bridges. But let’s not pretend cheering for your country is a sin. Americans should take this small papal shout‑out in stride: enjoy it, wave the flag, and get behind Team USA without needing an official blessing. If you want divine help for a World Cup run, a prayer or two won’t hurt, but hard work on and off the field will decide how far the U.S. goes.
