Peyton Manning says he sent handwritten letters inviting Pope Leo XIV to appear on ManningCast
Manning showed the letters during ESPN2’s alternate Bears-Vikings broadcast and publicly invited the Vatican leader to the program
Peyton Manning told viewers he had sent handwritten letters to Pope Leo XIV inviting the pontiff to appear on ESPN2’s alternate “ManningCast” broadcast during Monday night’s Bears-Vikings game.
Speaking during the third quarter at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025, Manning said he had written letters addressed to “His Holiness” and to the pope’s executive assistant and held the pages up to the camera. "Kind of like when I failed to recruit Randy Moss to Tennessee, I couldn’t close the Pope," Manning said, adding that he had made the effort and that the invitation was open if the pope or his team were interested.
Manning co-hosts the alternate telecast with his brother Eli Manning. The pair have built the “ManningCast” into a regular stop for athletes, entertainers and former players; Monday’s episode included actor Bill Murray, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley and Hall of Famer Randy Moss. The main broadcast at Soldier Field saw the Minnesota Vikings rally in the fourth quarter for a 27-24 victory over the Chicago Bears.
On the telecast, Peyton Manning listed other figures he hopes to book on the show, naming Tiger Woods, Bradley Cooper, former President George W. Bush and Larry David among those he said viewers wanted to see. He noted that Pope Leo XIV is a Chicago native and referenced a recent exchange in which the pontiff received a custom University of Tennessee jersey from Manning’s alma mater.
Pope Leo XIV, who attended Villanova University and is publicly a fan of the Chicago White Sox, spoke at the Vatican on Sept. 7, 2025, ahead of a Mass and canonization ceremony, according to public reports. Manning did not say during the broadcast whether he planned further outreach to the pope or his office.
The “ManningCast” began as an alternate presentation that mixes game coverage with interviews and analysis and has become a platform for unconventional guests. Manning’s on-air outreach to the Vatican marked an unusual bid to broaden that guest list and underscored the show’s growing profile as a place where sports, entertainment and public figures intersect.
The Bears will next appear on Monday Night Football Oct. 13 against the Washington Commanders. Manning’s on-air invitation added a lighthearted moment to an otherwise competitive night in Chicago and drew attention to the range of names the Mannings are aiming to attract to their program.