Pope Leo XIV Accepts Eagles Super Bowl Hat at Vatican Visit

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope and a Chicago native, was gifted a Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LIX victory hat by Archbishop Nelson Jesus Pérez and Bishop John McIntyre during a Vatican audience. While the Pope smiled and accepted the hat graciously, he promptly handed it off without wearing it, reaffirming his primary allegiance to Chicago sports teams, notably the White Sox. Archbishop Pérez expressed joy over the encounter, highlighting the Pope's previous happiness when the Eagles won the Super Bowl, though the Pope never explicitly cheered for the team. Pope Leo has personal ties to Philadelphia through his time at Villanova University and work in the area, but his Chicago roots remain paramount. This gesture underscores the intersection of the Pope's American heritage and his connection to the Catholic community in Philadelphia. The gift exchange occurred as part of a visit by the Philadelphia delegation during the 2025 Jubilee of Young People at the Vatican.