Why Knicks fans think new Pope Leo XIV is an NBA championship sign

With their team up 2-0 on the Celtics, Knicks fans are fired up. 

But after learning of the new pope’s Villanova ties, they believe something special is going on. 

Cardinal Robert Frances Prevost, a Chicago native who attended Villanova University, was voted in as the first pope from the United States on Thursday, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.

The former Wildcat’s selection set off a frenzy on social media with the Knicks — led by the Villanova trio of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart — two wins away from a massive upset over Boston in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. 

“The new Pope is an American who went to Villanova?” @Thibadome wrote on X. “This really is the Knicks’ year.”

“New pope went to Villanova,” Andrew Schulz said. “Knicks in 4.”

Some even scoured Pope Leo XIV’s X account, finding posts from 2016 about the Wildcats’ NCAA title run. 

“In 2016, Robert Prevost (now newly named POPE LEO XIV) reposted an article about Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges (and Donte DiVincenzo) leading Villanova to a Championship,” @KnicksMemes wrote alongside a screenshot of a re-post from Pope Leo XIV. “Knicks have the blessing of the Holy Father.”

The two shocking wins in Boston have others floating the potential Divine Intervention. 

“The new pope went to Villanova!” The Athletic’s Nicole Auerbach wrote on X. “This totally explains what’s happening with the Knicks.”

“‘May the Knicks win the NBA title and Villanova reign supreme amongst all colleges’” @CynicalNYK wrote with a photo of the pope.