Notre Dame, Villanova basketball teams to play in Rome and visit Pope Leo XIV

A historic moment is set for college basketball as University of Notre Dame and Villanova University prepare to take their men’s and women’s teams to Rome next season.

The programs will face off in a special doubleheader on November 1, celebrating the election of Pope Leo XIV—the first American pope and a Villanova graduate.

The event will feature both men’s and women’s games, with national broadcasts planned. While the exact venue in Rome has yet to be announced, the trip is already generating excitement as a unique blend of sports, culture, and faith.

In addition to the games, players and staff from both schools are expected to meet Pope Leo XIV and participate in a shared Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, adding a deeply meaningful element to the experience.

Before becoming pope, Leo—born Robert Prevost in Chicago—graduated from Villanova in 1977 and later joined the Order of Saint Augustine, a connection that ties closely to both universities’ Catholic traditions.

School officials say the trip has been in the works for months and is designed to highlight their shared mission and celebrate the historic papacy.

The event will mark a rare international showcase for college basketball while honoring a unique connection between faith, education, and sports on a global stage.

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