On a trip to Spain that marks the first papal visit there in 15 years, Pope Leo XIV—Robert Francis Prevost—waded into a centuries-old sports divide, telling a reporter he’s for Real Madrid while smiling off the usual religious expectation to stay neutral.
The question came somewhere over the Mediterranean, as Pope Leo XIV looked toward Spain and the summer of soccer warmed up ahead of the World Cup. The reporter asked the one rift that has divided the country for a century: Real Madrid or Barcelona.
The Pope smiled wide and answered without hesitation. “That’s easy,” he said. “The Pope is for all teams. But Prevost is Real Madrid.”
The line landed with laughs on the plane—an easy moment. but one packed with meaning for a man whose role is supposed to rise above team rivalries. Robert Francis Prevost has been Pope Leo XIV for barely a year. yet he has stayed tethered to the instincts of his worldwide flock through sports. mixing the formal office with a personal favorite.
The same blend showed up last October at the Vatican, when he trolled a Cubs fan after hearing a “Go Cubs!” shout from the crowd. He responded with a grin and the words “Han perdido! They lost!”—a reference to the Cubs being bounced from the playoffs.
Earlier still, the Pope’s Chicago roots surfaced in moments that went beyond the usual church headlines. Before becoming pope. Robert Prevost sat in Section 140. Row 19. Seat 2 for Game 1 of the 2005 World Series. his beloved White Sox’s last championship run. And this spring in Rome. when a Chicago native shouted “God bless the White Sox!” as the popemobile rolled through. Leo responded with a thumbs up and a smile.
Those details matter because they frame what happens on trips like this: the public persona remains solemn. but the man underneath still connects through familiar rivalries and memory. His Real Madrid declaration fits that pattern—personal. playful. and instantly understood in a country where the debate itself is almost cultural shorthand.
Leo’s trip to Spain is also not routine. It is the first papal visit to Spain in 15 years. Benedict XVI was the last pope there for World Youth Day in 2011. Pope Leo XIV is expected to deliver a historic address to parliament and will travel through Madrid and through Barcelona.
Outside the Vatican, preparation for soccer’s biggest month is already underway. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport kicked off a “summer of soccer” ahead of World Cup arrivals, as the city prepares to welcome fans for six World Cup matches.
In the middle of all of it, the Pope’s answer still reads like a deliberate choice of tone—keeping the religious message broad, while letting his personal team loyalty come through clearly when the moment allows it.
Pope Leo XIV Robert Francis Prevost Real Madrid Barcelona World Cup Spain papal visit Vatican Seattle-Tacoma International Airport World Youth Day 2011
He should stay neutral like it says… but of course he picked Real Madrid lol.
So he’s Pope Leo XIV and he’s rooting for Real Madrid?? Doesn’t that kind of go against the whole “worldly” thing. Also I thought he was from Chicago so why are we talking about soccer like it’s the Olympics?
Wait, he trolled a Cubs fan and said “Han perdido”??? I mean I don’t speak Spanish but doesn’t that mean like they “lost” or whatever. Pope really out here doing smack talk. Next thing you know he’ll bless a penalty kick.
Honestly I don’t care who he likes, but this just proves religion is just vibes and sports rivalries. Like Benedict was there in 2011 for World Youth Day, and now he’s choosing teams over unity… or maybe he’s just trying to get better crowds in Madrid/Barcelona? Idk. All I heard was “Real Madrid” and I’m sure Barcelona people are mad.