The 2025 papal conclave yielded the first American pope earlier this week, as Bishop Robert Prevost has succeeded the late Pope Francis as the head of the Catholic Church. While Prevost, 69, was born in Chicago,

Jalen Brunson and Pope Leo XIV are both Chicago kids who attended Villanova, so it only makes sense that the new Pope watches the Knicks. Former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost attended Villanova and, according to reporting from The Athletic, watches the Villanova Knicks as well as his alma mater’s hoops team.

Cardinal Robert Prevost's election as pope is giving Knicks fans a boost. He's the first American pontiff and, like Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges, went to Villanova.