Ahead of Rome tipoff, basketball powerhouse Villanova embraces ‘Pope Leo effect’
Crux·Updated 1 hour ago·1 min read
Summary
<img width="1024" height="690" src="https://i0.wp.com/cruxnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/pope-effect-villanova.png?fit=1024%2C690&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Students walk past an image of Pope Leo XIV at Villanova University in Villanova, Pa., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (Credit: Matt Rourke/AP.)" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/cruxnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/pope-effect-villanova.png?w=131
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“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction…”
James 1:27 · KJV