Villanova Leo's Alma Mater

Villanova University is deepening its ties to the Vatican, thanks to its famous alumnus, Pope Leo. The pope graduated from Villanova in 1977 with a degree in mathematics. The pope is part of the Augustinian order that founded the university near Philadelphia. Villanova is now finding new ways to connect with his papacy. On Sunday, Villanova's basketball teams will play Notre Dame in Rome. The event follows a recent sustainability conference that Villanova held in Rome. Villanova has seen a 10% increase in applications since Pope Leo's election. Some school officials call it the “Pope Leo effect.”

Pope Leo XIV has told the basketball teams from his alma mater, Villanova, and fellow Catholic university Notre Dame that in matters of sport, the pontiff is neutral. But in a raucous audience of 7,000 players, fans and their families, the former Robert Prevost laid bare his true feelings. He said “Prevost has another opinion." The teams were in town for the U.S. college basketball season opener in Rome. The Villanova and Notre Dame men’s and women’s teams will play a doubleheader Sunday at the 11,000-seat Palazzo dello Sport — which is located about a half-hour drive from the Vatican.