LaPorta Receives Vatican Blessing from Pope Leo XIV

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta and his wife, Callahan (Callie) Dellinger LaPorta, received a papal blessing from Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican shortly after their private Catholic wedding on June 14, 2025. Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope and a Chicago native known for his White Sox fandom, met the couple during their honeymoon in Italy. LaPorta, drafted by the Lions in 2023, quickly emerged as a standout with a Pro Bowl rookie season and followed with 60 receptions for 726 yards and seven touchdowns in his second year. The LaPortas' wedding was an intimate event centered around faith and family, reflecting their relationship since meeting at the University of Iowa. The papal blessing is viewed as a unique spiritual highlight for the couple's off-season. Detroit fans hope this special moment brings good fortune to LaPorta and the team in the upcoming NFL season.