Key facts
- Pope Leo stated he will support the U.S. soccer team in the World Cup.
- He is the first U.S. leader of the global Catholic Church.
- The Pope made the announcement on his flight from Rome to Madrid.
- He expressed a personal preference for Real Madrid over Barcelona.
Pope Leo, who holds the distinction of being the first U.S. leader of the global Catholic Church, has declared his support for the United States' soccer team in the upcoming World Cup. The pontiff shared this preference during his flight from Rome to Madrid. Originally hailing from a suburb of Chicago, Pope Leo also disclosed his personal inclination towards the soccer club Real Madrid over Barcelona, while emphasizing that the papacy officially supports all teams.