Legendary Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz has reached out to Catholics, encouraging them to support Pope Leo XIV as he begins his papacy.
In a video shared on X, Holtz called on Catholics to “defend and encourage” the Pope.
“I’m an old man. I’ve been Catholic my entire life. I learned about how the Pope is chosen: the white smoke, the black smoke, and all that,” he stated at the beginning of his message.
“But with the Pope, you never quite know what to expect. We’ve been taught to respect him, pray for him, and listen to his guidance on religious matters,” Holtz expressed.
“I hope this Pope will be incredibly good, but here’s what I know: he is our Pope. We must protect him, encourage him, and keep him in our prayers.”
Holtz emphasized that “too many people aren’t giving enough support to the church these days.”
“The church has financial responsibilities, like any organization. So whether you personally like the Pope is beside the point. He is our Pope, and it’s our duty to respect him, pray for him, care for him, and accept the decisions he will make,” he added.
“It’s crucial that we support the Pope, regardless of opinions. Pray for him. I do, hoping for wise decisions. It’s a blessing to know a couple of people close to him and have conversations with them.”
“Good luck to him. I promise to pray for the Pope, knowing he also prays for me, making choices that are in the best interests of our nation.”
Holtz’s message resonates amid speculation about Pope Leo XIV. Some express concerns over his environmental views and professional boundaries, worrying he could be seen as the “awakening” pope. Others argue that his stance against abortion and traditional views on gender set him apart from his predecessor, who faced challenges within the church.
Nonetheless, many—including Lou Holtz—believe it’s important to give this new Catholic leader a chance to do his job and see where it leads.
