Sam LaPorta gets spiritual boost from Pope Leo XIV—are the Lions heaven-bound this NFL season?
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta is heading into the new NFL season with a spiritual boost that few can match. Fresh off a standout Pro Bowl rookie year, LaPorta took a detour from football to experience a once-in-a-lifetime moment — receiving a blessing from none other than Pope Leo XIV at St.
Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
Lions fans believe Sam LaPorta's Vatican visit could bring divine luck to Detroit's
NFL
campaign
The visit came shortly after LaPorta and his wife, Callahan, tied the knot on June 14. The newlyweds traveled to the Vatican as part of their post-wedding celebration, and the moment was documented in photos shared by LaPorta on Instagram. 'Thank you to a very busy man for blessing me and my bride,' he wrote in the caption. 'A special moment we'll never forget.'
While many fans have already dubbed the Lions as one of the top contenders in the NFC this year, LaPorta might just be bringing more than talent to the locker room — he's bringing divine favor.
After all, not many NFL players can say they were blessed by the pope himself before the season kicks off.
Interestingly, Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago and appointed in May, has already made headlines for his unexpected connection to American sports. A die-hard fan of the Chicago White Sox, he was once seen cheering during the 2005 World Series. The White Sox have embraced the Pope's loyalty, even dedicating a mural to him at Guaranteed Rate Field and offering him the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at a game.
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The pope's NFL allegiances remain a bit murky, though. In late May, Vice President J.D. Vance presented him with a custom Chicago Bears jersey that read 'Pope Leo' and bore the number XIV. The pope's response? A subtle but telling 'Good choice.'
New Bears head coach Ben Johnson — who previously served as the Lions' offensive coordinator — admitted in May, 'I heard rumblings, but that hasn't been discussed too much firsthand,' when asked about Pope Leo's potential football preferences.
As for LaPorta, he's coming off a stellar second season, notching 60 receptions, 726 yards, and seven touchdowns. The Lions ended the regular season at 15-2 before falling to the Commanders in the divisional round. Now, as they prepare for the next chapter without Ben Johnson and former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn (now the Jets' head coach), the team hopes to keep its NFC North dominance alive.
With skill, momentum, and perhaps a little divine intervention, the Lions — and LaPorta — could be primed for something special this season.
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