Pope Meets College Basketball Teams In Rome

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1. 31 Oct

   About 7,000 people entered the Paul VI audience hall inside the Vatican on Saturday after a special private Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.

   2 outlets · CBS News

Coverage 8 articles

• 1 Nov College basketball tips off with Notre Dame vs. Villanova in Rome—How to watchNotre Dame will face Villanova in the first game of the college basketball season on November 1, 2026, in Rome as part of the Eternal City Tip-Off event honoring Pope Leo XIV. The game starts at 9:30 a.m. ET and can be watched for free with a five-day trial of DIRECTV’s streaming service, which includes FOX. Villanova is favored to win based on their recent performance; they finished last season with a 24-9 record…New York Post
• 1 Nov Villanova and Notre Dame open the college basketball season in Rome following papal audienceVillanova and Notre Dame men’s and women’s basketball teams opened their seasons with a doubleheader in Rome after meeting Pope Leo for a papal audience at the Vatican. The games were played at Palazzo dello Sport, about half an hour from the Vatican. The men’s game started at 3:30 p.m. local time (9:30 a.m. ET) and was broadcast on Fox, while the women’s game began at 6 p.m. local time (noon ET) and aired on FS1.Toronto Star
• 31 Oct Pope Leo dribbles golden basketball and tries to stay neutral as rival US teams descend on VaticanPope Leo XIV met with basketball teams from Villanova and Notre Dame on Saturday in Rome for their season opener, emphasizing neutrality despite his personal ties to both schools. The pope, who graduated from Villanova in 1977, interacted playfully with the athletes, acknowledging his background while maintaining a diplomatic stance. With an audience of 7,000 people, the event was part of the "Eternal City Tip-Off"…The Independent
• 31 Oct Pope meets Villanova and Notre Dame basketball teams at the VaticanOn Saturday, Pope Francis met with basketball teams from Villanova and Notre Dame, along with approximately 7,000 U.S. fans, inside the Vatican for a special audience following a private Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. The gathering preceded the universities' season opener on Sunday at Palazzo Dello Sport in Rome, an event dubbed the Eternal City Tip-Off to honor Pope Francis who graduated from Villanova in 1977…CBS News
• 31 Oct Pope Leo receiving teams and fans from US college basketball before their games in RomePope Leo XIV will meet privately with basketball teams from Villanova and Notre Dame as well as their supporters at the Vatican on Saturday before the start of the college basketball season. Approximately 7,000 people, including fans from both universities, are anticipated to attend this event in the Paul VI audience hall within the Vatican premises.Toronto Star
• 30 Oct It's much more than just a hoop and a prayer for Notre Dame and Villanova team chaplains in RomeRev. Pete McCormick from Notre Dame and Rev. Rob Hagan from Villanova are team chaplains who will accompany their respective college basketball teams to Rome for a season-opening doubleheader against each other on Sunday. Before the games, the teams will meet Pope Francis in a private audience. The chaplains, who have both experienced victory after championship titles with their universities, aim to integrate…Toronto Star
• 29 Oct Villanova touches down in Rome for college basketball season opener and papal audienceVillanova University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams arrived in Rome for their season-opening games against Notre Dame, scheduled for Sunday. The trip includes a private audience with Pope Leo XIV, Villanova’s notable alumnus who graduated in 1977. Both teams are also sightseeing around the city and adjusting to jet lag; the women's team previously visited Italy last year for practice games and cultural…Toronto Star
• 29 Oct 2026-27 NCAA championship prediction, odds, pick: Duke, Florida open as March Madness co-favoritesThe article predicts the 2026-27 NCAA basketball champion, with Duke and Florida listed as co-favorites at +600 odds. Connecticut and Illinois follow closely at 11/1 and 12/1 respectively. The piece also highlights Kansas at 30/1 odds due to its strong recruiting class and returning players. It provides an overview of top contenders and their potential to succeed in the tournament, focusing on team strengths and…New York Post

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