How Notre Dame basketball’s trip came about to play Villanova in Rome — and potentially meet Pope Leo XIV
Sophia Chen
Sophia Chen
Sports Reporter · Saratoga Springs, NY
A graduate of Syracuse University with a passion for athletics, Sophia previously worked as a sports writer for the Ithaca Journal. She covers high school sports and community events, bringing a youthful and energetic perspective to local athletics.
More from Sophia →Sports Reporter · Saturday, October 31, 2026 at 1:15 AM · 1 min read
When Notre Dame women’s basketball coach Niele Ivey first heard the idea, she was thrilled. With the election of Pope Leo XIV as inspiration, college sports event organizers wanted to host a pair of men’s and women’s basketball games in…