Pitching Faith: How Pope Francis Connected with a Global Audience Through Sports—A Legacy That May Blossom with Baseball Enthusiast Leo XIV

In a poignant tribute, athletes held a minute of silence for Pope Francis before the Real Madrid vs. Celta de Vigo match on May 4, 2025, at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Francis viewed sports as a universal language, connecting diverse communities. His successor, Pope Leo XIV, may shift this focus to baseball, reflecting the same values of inclusion and shared joy. Tributes poured in from around the globe, signifying the deep impact he had within the sporting sphere, intertwined with humanity and compassion.