In a surprising display of athleticism, Pope Leo XIV demonstrated his basketball prowess with help from the legendary Harlem Globetrotters during their visit to Vatican City.
The head of the Catholic Church welcomed the Harlem Globetrotters to St. Peter's Square on Wednesday, where they taught him how to spin a basketball on his finger.
While the Globetrotters provided most of the technical assistance—positioning the pontiff's finger and maintaining the ball's momentum—the crowd erupted in applause as the pope successfully kept the basketball spinning, if only briefly. The lighthearted moment offered a glimpse into the more personal side of the spiritual leader, who reportedly grew up admiring Chicago Bulls legends Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
This isn't the first unconventional moment for Pope Leo XIV since his ascension to the papacy nearly a year ago. His tenure has included memorable events ranging from signing a motorcycle for charity to diplomatic tensions with U.S. officials. While his papal duties remain a lifetime commitment, this playful interaction suggests he might have a future as an honorary Globetrotter mascot should he ever need a career change.