Overview

• During the Week 1 ESPN2 broadcast, Manning showed two handwritten letters—one to Pope Leo XIV and one to his executive assistant—inviting the pontiff to join the show.
• He acknowledged he "couldn't close the Pope" for the Bears–Vikings telecast and reiterated an open invitation for a future appearance.
• Manning identified Tiger Woods, Bradley Cooper, George W. Bush and Larry David as other top targets for the guest lineup.
• Bill Murray, Saquon Barkley and Randy Moss appeared as Week 1 guests, and the Pope did not participate.
• Reports highlighted the Pope's Chicago sports fandom and cited time-zone and scheduling hurdles, with some noting the Bears' Oct. 13 Monday night game as a potential opportunity depending on the show's schedule.