Pope Francis Neutral on Notre Dame vs. Villanova Game in Rome
The pontiff, an alumnus of Villanova, addressed both teams ahead of the season opener in the Eternal City.
The 2026-27 college basketball season is set to begin in Rome, with Notre Dame facing off against the Villanova Wildcats on November 1. The game, named the Eternal City Tip-Off in honor of Pope Leo XIV, marks an early start to the Division I basketball season.
Pope Francis, who received his bachelor's degree from Villanova University in 1977, addressed both teams on the eve of the matchup. He stated his neutrality regarding the game's outcome but alluded to a differing opinion held by someone named Prevost.
The NCAA approved a waiver for Notre Dame and Villanova to play their season opener on November 1, a day before the official start of the college basketball season on November 2. This exception was made due to the historic nature of the overseas game.
Villanova is considered the favored team in the contest, according to ESPN Analytics. The Wildcats concluded their previous season with a 24-9 overall record, including a 9-3 record against non-conference opponents.
The game is scheduled to tip off at 9:30 a.m. ET from the Palazzo della Sport in Rome, Italy. It will be broadcast on FOX. For viewers without cable, the game can be streamed through DIRECTV, which is offering a five-day free trial.