A Knicks fan who went to St. Peter’s Square to greet Pope Leo turned a viral shout—“Knicks in four”—into a personal story about faith, hope, and NBA Finals nerves. Robbie DeLasho recalled the Pope’s thumbs-up and explained why New York’s prayer, in his mind, c
Robbie DeLasho didn’t just spot Pope Leo in St. Peter’s Square—he made sure the Pope noticed him.
The New York Knicks fan traveled to Vatican City and recorded a video of himself calling out to the Pope ahead of the NBA Finals. In the moment, DeLasho could be heard yelling, “Pope Leo!. Go Knicks!. Knicks in four!” Then. as the passing Pope turned toward him. the exchange ended with a thumbs up—DeLasho said it was followed by what looked like a “little double thumbs up.”.
“I was like, yeah, yeah, he saw it,” DeLasho told CBS News, describing how the gesture landed after his chant. He said the interaction felt like a brief, unmistakable recognition from someone most people never get anywhere near.
It’s still unclear whether Pope Leo has any particular side in the Finals between the Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. But DeLasho isn’t treating the moment like a coincidence. He admitted he hopes the gesture will translate into something bigger for New York as the series gets underway.
“Pope Leo can’t go out there and guard Wemby, but I’d like to hope that maybe it did something,” DeLasho said. He was referring to Spurs star Victor Wembanyama—because even with a thumbs-up from the Vatican, the matchup still belongs to players who have to stop Wembanyama on the court.
Before the trip, DeLasho planned it the way only a committed fan would. As a student at St. John’s University in New York, he told his classmates and professors what he intended to do at the Vatican—wear a Knicks shirt specifically to make sure he got the Pope’s attention.
“I told my professor right away. I was like. just letting you know. I’m wearing a Knicks shirt and I’m getting his attention and I hope something comes out of it. ” DeLasho recalled. He said classmates questioned the choice—“why would you not dress up?. You’re going to see the Pope”—but he stuck to his plan anyway.
“I was like, no, like, this is my plan. I’m doing it,” he said. For DeLasho, it wasn’t only about being seen. He wanted the Pope to understand the point of the moment, even if it was as simple as eye contact and a clear message about his team.
“Even just to make eye contact with the Pope. It’s one thing,” DeLasho said. “But then also he’s going to like make the notion about my team… That’s even crazier because obviously I’ve been, I’m a diehard Knicks fan.”
With the Knicks set to open their NBA Finals campaign on the road in San Antonio on Wednesday night. DeLasho’s story carries a particular kind of pressure—one part superstition. one part hope. and one part the reality that the series starts immediately. Pope Leo may not be guarding Wembanyama. but for DeLasho. New York’s motivation has already crossed the line from fan ritual into something that feels personal.
New York Knicks Pope Leo Robbie DeLasho NBA Finals San Antonio Spurs Victor Wembanyama Jalen Brunson Mikal Bridges Josh Hart St. Peter's Square Vatican City St. John's University