If it feels like the New York Knicks got a bit of divine assistance in their two 20-point comebacks against the defending champion Boston Celtics, maybe they did.
That’s how Knicks fans are viewing things on Thursday, following the naming of the Roman Catholic Church’s new leader, Pope Leo XIV.
How are these two things connected, you ask?
Pope Leo XIV was Cardinal Robert Prevost, who was a 1977 graduate of Villanova University.
And yeah, these are the ‘Nova Knicks.
You’ve seen the commercial.
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Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges each won two national titles with the Wildcats. Josh Hart had one, as well.
In 2016, Robert Prevost (now newly named POPE LEO XIV) reposted an article about Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges (and Donte DiVincenzo) leading Villanova to a Championship
Knicks have the blessing of the Holy Father pic.twitter.com/SlgP1TAUTB
— Knicks Memes (@KnicksMemes) May 8, 2025
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Together, they’ve got the 3-seed Knicks seeking a major upset in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Prevost is a native of Chicago, and he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova.
He’s the first pope from the United States, which has superstitious sports fans everywhere seeking out connections between their team and the pope.
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Well, the Knicks have one, via their Villanova tie-in.
If there was ever a team that looks like it might just be destined for glory, it’s these Knicks.
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