Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams spent his Fourth of July doing something a little different than most Americans. He mailed an autographed jersey to Pope Leo XIV.
Bears beat reporter Chris Emma shared photos of the Pontiff holding up the No. 18 Bears jersey, along with a close-up of the inscription. Williams wrote: “To Pope Leo #DaPope Men for Others.”
The “DaPope” bit matters here. That’s a nickname that’s trailed Pope Leo since he was elected. He grew up in Chicago. He’s a Bears fan. And when he became pope, the jokes basically wrote themselves. The internet had a field day with Pope Leo + Bears memes, and that energy has never really faded.
So Williams leaning into it with the hashtag on a real autograph is a nice touch. It’s not a generic corporate gift. It’s a nod to something the fanbase already finds hilarious.
This isn’t even the first time Pope Leo has received a Bears jersey. Vice President JD Vance gave him one during a 2025 Vatican visit. But there’s a difference between a politician handing over a gift and the team’s actual franchise quarterback doing it. Especially when that quarterback just helped turn the Bears around.
Williams had a monster 2025 season. He threw for 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. Chicago won the NFC North for the first time in ages. Now they’re heading into 2026 with real expectations. They’ll have to hold off Detroit and Green Bay, but the roster is there. And if Williams takes another step forward, the Bears could be a serious playoff threat.
Training camp starts July 25 for rookies. Veterans show up July 28. Williams will be there. Pope Leo probably won’t, but he’s got the jersey ready.
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