Caleb Williams gifted Pope Leo XIV an autographed jersey on July 4, 2026. The jersey sparked speculation about a potential new alternate uniform for the Bears.
What happened?
The jersey was presented to Pope Leo XIV by U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch.
Why the speculation?
The jersey's design led some to speculate that it could be a new alternate jersey for the Bears.
Caleb Williams included a personalized message on the jersey, addressing it to Pope Leo XIV.
What's next for the Bears?
The Bears are set to receive new Rivalries jerseys this season, as part of the NFL's Rivalries program.
The program debuted last season, with the AFC East and NFC West receiving new jerseys.
Every team will eventually get a Rivalries uniform, with the AFC South and NFC North set to receive theirs in 2026.
The jersey gifted to Pope Leo XIV appears to be a 'Tundra White' alternate jersey, which is sold out on the Bears' official Pro Shop website.
This jersey is not typically worn by the team, but its white color matches the pope's usual attire.
Caleb Williams' gift to Pope Leo XIV was a unique one, given the jersey's limited availability.
The Caleb Cares Foundation shared a photo of the jersey on Twitter, with the hashtags #DaPope, #DaBears, and #Heisman22.
The foundation also included the Latin phrase 'Ad majorem Dei gloriam', which translates to 'For the greater glory of God'.
The gift was celebrated on July 4, with the foundation tweeting about the occasion.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, is a Chicago native and a Bears fan.
He is the first American-born pope to lead the Vatican.
The Bears are still looking for a new stadium location, but they have a fan in the Vatican.
Caleb Williams' gift to Pope Leo XIV was a thoughtful one, considering the pope's love for the Bears.
The jersey's design may not be a new alternate uniform, but it's still a unique gift.
The Bears will unveil their new Rivalries jerseys later this year, as part of the NFL's program.
Fans will have to wait and see what the new jerseys look like.
For now, they can appreciate the thoughtful gift from Caleb Williams to Pope Leo XIV.