Pope Leo XIV to Meet Basketball Chaplains
Villanova and Notre Dame play a doubleheader in Rome on All Saints Day, with team chaplains attending a private audience with the pontiff beforehand.
By Luka Evans ·
College basketball begins its season in Rome on Sunday, October 30, when Villanova and Notre Dame play men's and women's doubleheaders.
The event, labeled the Eternal City Tip-Off, coincides with All Saints Day. A private audience with Pope Leo XIV is scheduled for Saturday, October 31, preceding the games.
Rev. Pete McCormick serves as the team chaplain for Notre Dame. He described the trip as a way to merge his two deep passions, basketball and ministry. McCormick noted that his office features signed basketballs and a miniature of the Fighting Irish hardwood floor, reflecting his personal connection to the sport.
Rev. Rob Hagan, the chaplain for Villanova, emphasized the role of chaplains beyond pregame prayers. Both men have cut down nets after major titles, with McCormick joining the 2015 ACC tournament winning team and Hagan participating in the 2016 and 2018 NCAA championship runs.
Hagan stated that his role involves listening to student athletes who face pressure from coaches, parents, and agents. He explained that many players struggle with performance, injury, and competition, and that chaplaincy provides a space for them to open up about their mental and spiritual states. Hagan is also the Prior Provincial of the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova.
McCormick and Hagan manage religious customs in Vatican City and navigate the history of Rome. McCormick said his job is to help players see things they might otherwise miss and to live a little life with them. He warned that if players only focus on winning and miss the surroundings, much will be lost.
The event ties into the religious calendar. Hagan pointed out that the communion of saints is similar to a Catholic Hall of Fame, making proximity to the tomb of St. Peter a fitting location. The Gospel reading for All Saints Day is the Sermon on the Mount, which Hagan described as a guide to a purpose-filled life.
McCormick hands out saint-themed medals to players after pregame mass at home games. He tries to connect the virtues of the saints to the current moment in the season. He told players to keep the medals in their lockers as reminders that they have support during the season's challenges.
Hagan uses the church calendar to select readings, noting how March Madness aligns with Lent. He said the values of sacrifice during Lent translate seamlessly to the NCAA tournament. The chaplains aim to develop the mind, body, and spirit of the athletes, viewing spirituality as an essential part of the culture at both institutions.
