Notre Dame defeats Villanova in Rome opener despite Pope Leo XIV's presence
The Fighting Irish won 74-72 in a season-opening doubleheader held at the Palazzo dello Sport on All Saints' Day, while the women's team lost 99-75.
By Lucas Navarro ·
College basketball fans in Rome watched Notre Dame beat Villanova 74-72 on Sunday, ending the season opener with a late comeback. The match marked the first game of the 2026-2027 season for both schools and took place at the 11,000-seat Palazzo dello Sport, located roughly 30 minutes from the Vatican.
Villanova entered the contest with strong home support, as many traveling fans wore jerseys featuring the name Pope Leo XIV. The crowd held a banner showing the pope in a Wildcats uniform reaching toward the university president, Rev. Peter M. Donohue. Despite this advantage, Notre Dame scored the decisive points in the final minutes to secure the win.
The men’s victory followed a 99-75 loss for the Villanova women’s team earlier in the day. Notre Dame’s women’s squad, ranked No. 13, dominated the matchup. The doubleheader, known as the Eternal City Tip-Off, was organized to honor the first American pope, Leo XIV, who was born Robert Prevost.
Pope Leo XIV met with players, coaches, and families from both schools at the Vatican on Saturday. The audience of 7,000 included fans and family members who filled the audience hall. The pope, who holds a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Villanova, joked that his former self might have favored Villanova in the matchup, though he declared neutrality as pontiff.
Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, a former papal candidate, attended the games at the arena. Both teams also brought their chaplains to Rome. The events occurred on All Saints' Day, a major Catholic holiday, and began with a moment of prayer and the singing of the U.S. and Italian national anthems.
Notre Dame men’s coach Micah Shrewsberry said the team benefited from playing two road games during the preseason. He noted that the loud Villanova fans made the environment challenging but manageable. Villanova coach Kevin Willard described the experience as phenomenal and once-in-a-lifetime, citing the pope's visible affection for the university and its impact on the team.
