Overview
- Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, is the first American pontiff and a 1977 Villanova University graduate.
- Knicks players Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart also hail from Villanova, creating a symbolic connection between the team and the pope.
- The Knicks rallied from two 20-point deficits to defeat the defending champion Celtics, fueling fan speculation about divine intervention.
- Spike Lee publicly declared the Knicks’ playoff run to be a divine mandate, predicting a 2024-25 NBA championship.
- Social media highlighted Pope Leo XIV’s 2016 repost celebrating Villanova’s NCAA championship, further energizing Knicks fans.