The Knicks pulled ahead 2-0 against the Celtics, and fans were buzzing with excitement.
But then, news about the newly appointed Pope Villanova gave them a sense that something extraordinary might be unfolding.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prost, a Chicago native and Villanova alum, was elected as the first pope from the U.S., taking the name Pope Leo XIV.
This connection to Villanova set off a wave of enthusiasm among Knicks supporters—particularly led by the school’s trio: Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart—who managed to upset Boston in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs with those two victories.
“Is the new Pope an American who went to Villanova?” someone mused on social media. “This really seems to be the Knicks’ year,” another chimed in, excitedly declaring a Knicks championship was in the cards.
I had a look at Pope Leo XIV’s social media and noticed he had shared posts back in 2016 during Villanova’s NCAA championship run.
One user posted a snapshot reflecting on how the newly minted Pope had shared an article featuring Brunson, Hart, Bridges, and Donte DiVincenzo, proclaiming, “The Knicks have the blessings of the Holy Father.”
After two surprising wins in Boston, fans are imagining some sort of divine intervention.
“The new Pope went to Villanova!” another fan quipped, linking this coincidence to the Knicks’ fortune.
As fans reflect on the Pope’s connection to Villanova, the excitement around the team seems to grow, with many feeling that the universe is aligning in their favor.
