NFL legend Peyton Manning revealed he made an ambitious attempt to get Pope Leo XIV on his ‘ManningCast’ podcast.
The two-time Super Bowl winner claims he wrote two handwritten letters – one addressed to Pope Leo XIV and the other to his executive assistant.
In a hilarious comment, Manning joked: “Kind of like I failed to recruit Randy Moss to Tennessee… I couldn’t close the Pope, but I made the effort.”
While the letters failed to bear fruit, Manning produced one last hail mary, and invited his Holiness on to the show.
Peyton Manning really handwrote a note to The Pope to try to get him on the ManningCast. pic.twitter.com/TivoZF8lT4
— Omaha Productions (@OmahaProd) September 9, 2025
“If you’re watching, Your Holiness, this is an open invitation,” he said.
“Come on the show anytime. It’s you, it’s Tiger Woods, it’s Bradley Cooper, it’s President Bush, it’s Larry David. Y’all are our most wanted on that list for the ‘ManningCast.
“Come anytime,” he added. “We’d love to have you, Your Holiness.”
Pope Leo a fan of American sports
Before his epic rise to the top of the Catholic church, Pope Leo was spotted at the opening game of the 2005 World Series, rocking a Chicago White Sox cap.
The Chicago native previously received Bears-themed gifts. And, in more recent times, he was given a custom Manning jersey from the University of Tennessee.
Leo is not the only Pope with a secret sweet tooth for sport. John Paul II, who passed away in 2005, was a supporter of Polish soccer club Cracovia Krakow, and even played as a goalkeeper in his younger years.
Manning’s christian background
Manning has identified himself as a Presbyterian Christian. The former American Football star committed his life to Christ when he was 13, and has maintained his faith well into adulthood.
The quarterback previously said: “My faith has been number one since I was thirteen years old.
“I just want my actions to speak louder, and my faith doesn’t make me perfect, it makes me forgiven.”
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